TANF–Waivers on Work Removed
Last Wednesday, August 30, HHS announced they were revoking any potential waiver authority regarding TANF work requirements. In announcing the policy shift ACF representatives said the policy rescinds a 2012 Obama administration information memorandum encouraging
Center on American Progress: Child Care Deserts
Last week Wednesday, the Center for American Progress (CAP) released a report that details the lack of child care services in 22 states. Titled, Mapping America’s Child Care Deserts, the report analyzes the locations
CWLA Status Report on Hurricane Harvey and Relief Efforts
Here at CWLA, we have been in constant communication with our colleagues in Texas and Louisiana as they face the extraordinary challenges brought by Hurricane Harvey.
Before implementing any special efforts, we want to find out
CWLA Speaks Out on Racism and Bigotry
Last week CWLA sent a letter to the President, speaking out against the violence, hatred and biggotry demonstrated in Charlottesville, Virginia on Friday August 11 and Saturday, August 12. In a message to CWLA membership,
CBO: Cut-Off of Subsidies Reduces Coverage, Increases Costs to Government
For now, the President will permit the latest installment of insurance cost-sharing subsidies through the Affordable Care Act. That is important for now, because the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has determined there would be significant
Long List For Fall as Congress Leaves
The Senate cut short their extended work schedule on Thursday when they finished work on several nominations including some from HHS. They will be out until after Labor Day. When Congress returns in September they
Next Steps on Health Care: Repair or Forget It
Last week’s debate and fire on repealing the Affordable Care Act was bookended by two narrow votes of 50 to 51 and 49 to 50 with three senators being the key actors. In between the
Budget Battles Front and Center In September
Before the House of Representative left for the summer break on Friday, members approved a partial FY 17 appropriations bill, left a budget resolution for an uncertain future and waited on the Senate for signals
Home Visiting Groups Continue Looking for Support
Last week Congressman Danny Davis (D-IL) announced the introduction of a second House bill to reauthorize the home visiting program. The HomeVisiting Works Act of 2017 would extend the program for an additional five years
Briefing Highlights Adoption Funding
On Tuesday, July 25, Voice for Adoption sponsored a briefing on Capitol Hill to raise the importance of adding in resources and funding for the Adoption Opportunities program and the Adoption and Kinship Incentive fund.
During
HHS Report Examines Shelter Housing Impact on Family Structure
HHS through the Office of Planning Research and Evaluation (OPRE) has released a report that takes a closer look at Child and Family Transitions among Families Experiencing Homelessness. It’s the fourth in a series
Childhood Trauma: Implications for Child Welfare
On Wednesday, July 26, Congressman Danny Davis (D-IL) sponsored a briefing on trauma and its impact on children. The briefing was supported by Building Community Resilience, Redstone Center at the George Washington University Milken Institute
Groups Express Opposition to Refugee Restrictions
Last week CWLA signed on to a joint letter in opposition of the Asylum Reform and Border Protection Act (H.R. 391). The asylum and refugee programs in the United States are designed to assist victims of
Next Steps on Health Care Uncertain
The last week of head-spinning on health care was best represented by the various positions of the President throughout the week. By week’s end the path forward is still uncertain with the Senate parliamentarian delivering
House Budget, It Would Be The News
If not for the continuing controversy of the health care debate, the issue of a House budget resolution would probably have been the headlines coming from Washington this past week.
The Republican leadership introduced their resolution
House Appropriations Moves A Labor-HHS-Education Bill
The House Appropriations Committee acted on a Labor Department-Health and Human Services-Education Department bill last Wednesday.
For the most part, the smaller child welfare programs that are dependent on the annual appropriations were flat funded. CAPTA
The Adoption Funding Shortfall
The House Appropriations Committee Funds Adoption Opportunities at $39 million which is a rejection of the Administration’s proposed cut of $9 million. Adoption/Kinship Incentives is funded at $37.9 million, the same as last year.
The lack
Dream Act Introduced
The Dream Act of 2017 has been introduced in the Senate by Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL) and Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC). Called the United We Dream Act, it would offer a route to permanent legal
Presidential Commission on Opioids Holds Next Session After Delay
The second of the President’s Commission on Combating Drug Addiction and Opioid Crisis will be held via teleconference on Monday, July 31, 2017 at 4:00 p.m. EST. The Commission, Chaired by Governor Chris Christie (R-NJ)
Critical Votes for Senate Leadership Coming Soon
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) will delay a critical key procedural vote this week after Senator John McCain (R-AZ) announced he would be absent due to a medical procedure. That will not prevent McConnell
House Appropriations: More Cuts for HHS
On Thursday, July 13, the House Subcommittee on Labor-Health and Human Services-Education approved an appropriations bill that would cut FY 2017 funding by an additional $5 billion.
Child Care Aware Campaign
CWLA is part of the Child Care NOW! campaign led by the Woman’s National Law Center. The Child Care NOW campaign joins together child care advocates and allies to focus on raising awareness
Forum Discusses Opioids
On Thursday, July 13, Roll Call publications sponsored a forum on Fighting the Opioid Crisis. The forum included introductory remarks by David Hawkings, Senior Congressional Editor of Roll Call, David Cordani, President and CEO, Cigna,
House Budget Continues To Stall Over Demand for More Entitlement Cuts
House Budget Committee Chair Congresswoman Dianne Black (R-TN) continued to struggle with the most conservative members of her House Caucus over the level of mandatory and entitlement cuts.
There seems to be agreement over discretionary (annually
Adoption Stories Needed
When and if Congress moves forward on a tax package late this year or next year one of the more vulnerable tax provisions is the Adoption Tax Credit. CWLA has been a longtime supporter of