Budget Extended To December 21
The memorials to President George H.W. Bush forced Congress to push off any discussion of the budget last week. As a result a short term continuing resolution (CR) was quickly agreed to and passed by
HHS Inspector General Examines Immigrant Facility
Last week the Inspector General for HHS released a new inspection report to Assistant Secretary Lynn Johnson that criticized conditions and practices at a Texas facility for unaccompanied children.
The IG is in the process
CWLA Submits Comments Opposing Public Charge Changes
Shaquita Ogletree
On Friday, December 7, CWLA submitted comments in response to the proposed changes that would penalize immigrant families who seek assistance meeting their basic needs.
The “public charge” test is designed to identify people who
Capitol Hill Briefing on Prevention of Child Abuse
Shaquita Ogletree
On Tuesday, December 4, the American Psychological Association (APA) and Partners for Children co-hosted the congressional briefings on Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) in the House (a subsequent meeting was held on
National Trends on Youth in Crisis in the United States
Last week the National Runaway Safeline (NRS) released its annual report. The key headline is:
“After many years of rapid growth in connections from youth in crisis before a runaway episode, NRS has noticed a
HHS Releases First Guidance On Family First Services
Late Friday, The Administration on Children and Families released its first guidance and preliminary list of services for funding under the Family First Prevention Services Act (PL 115-123)—(FFA). The guidance at ACYF-CB-PI-18-09 gives an
Budget Finish Still Uncertain
With only 4 days until funding runs out on 25 percent of the federal budget, it is still unclear how the story of the FY 2019 ends. It appears likely there will be a short-term
Family Separation at Border Much Earlier: 60 Minutes
Last Sunday, November 25, the CBS news program, 60 Minutes, reported on children separated at the border. What the 60 Minutes segment revealed was what some critics had suspected; they had been separating children
Senate Caucus on Foster Youth Discusses Adoption Disruption and Dissolution
Shaquita Ogletree
On Tuesday, November 27, the Senate Caucus on Foster Youth held a congressional briefing to discuss the issue of disrupted and dissolved adoptions. The event was a part of a series of Washington National
Children’s Bureau Encourages More Primary Prevention
On November 16, the Children’s Bureau issued ACYF-CB-IM-18-05, a memorandum on primary prevention, and “to strongly encourage all child welfare agencies and Children’s Bureau (CB) grantees to work together with the courts and other
NACAC, VFA & Center on American Progress Report on LGBTQ Issues
Voice for Adoption (VFA), the North American Council on Adoptable Children (NACAC) and the Center on American Progress have released a new study, Welcoming All Families that analyses discrimination against LGBTQ youth in foster
HHS Research: Opioid Treatment, Child Welfare Challenges & Opportunities
Last week the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) in HHS released a new study on opioid treatment and child welfare. The report, Medication-Assisted Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder in
CDC: Continued Increases in Drug Overdoses and Deceases in Mortality Rates
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued its annual report on Mortality in the United States and found more bad news. The United States continues to see a decline in life expectancy,
CWLA Joins Amicus Brief for NAS-Babies Trust Fund by Drug Manufacturers
On Thursday, November 29, seven judges of the Judicial Panel for Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) heard oral arguments as to why hundreds of thousands of infants born dependent on opioids should be allowed their own representation
HHS Begins A Year of Focus on Adopting Teens
On Tuesday, November 13, the Department of Health and Human Services used their National Adoption Month celebration to highlight a new focus for the next year on the promotion of adoption of teenagers from foster
New AFCARS Shows Continued Increase
n Thursday, November 8, HHS released the 25th AFCARS Report indicating that foster care placements increased for the sixth straight year going from 436,551 in FY 2016 to 442,995 in FY 2017. The AFCARS
Voice for Adoption Celebrates 14th Portrait Project on Capitol Hill
On Wednesday, November 14, Voice for Adoption (VFA) held their 14th annual Adoptive Family Portrait Project on Capitol Hill. The annual event in Washington DC features a number of families who have adopted
Report Outlines Challenges of Young People Exiting Foster Care
On Tuesday, the Annie E. Casey Foundation released, Fostering Youth Transitions analyzing that status and outcomes for young people exiting foster care. Fostering Youth Transitions uses data collected across 50 states to assess how
New Annual Report on State of Native Youth
On Friday, November 16, the Center for Native American Youth at The Aspen Institute (CNAY) released its third annual State of Native Youth Report and celebrated Native American Heritage Month with a panel event in
Movies Imitate Life and Child Welfare
The HHS highlighting of the new movie Instant Family may be highlighting what seems to be a small trend in movies at least this year. It may be coincidence or interest but there are
Annual Report on Child Care Shows First Results of Budget Increase
The National Women’s Law Center has released their new annual report and review on state child care policy, Overdue for Investment. The report found that 33 states improved child care in 2018 compared to
Leaders Selected in Senate With House Partially Undecided
Congress returned last week mainly to start orientation for new members. Beyond that the Senate remained largely the same with Senator McConnell (R-KY) and Schumer (D-NY) staying in place. Senator Grassley, at the end of
Is This The Country’s Year In Review?
Children’s Monitor, November 12: The Thousand Oaks shooting victims: Heartbreaking stories emerge about the 12 lives lost
Children’s Monitor, November 5: The 11 victims shared a dedication to the Tree of Life
Congress Returns for 2018 Clean-Up and Look to 2019
The 115th Congress returns on Tuesday, November 13 to attempt to finish up their FY 2018 business and start to plan for a new majority in the House and a bigger one in the Senate.
By
Let the Changes Begin 2019
Both houses will experience significant changes in the 2019 committees with the House flipping control while the existing Republican Senate Majority will be looking to accommodate at least 5 new Senators to in 2019.
The Senate: