Congress Back For Long Hot Summer
The Congress returns this week for what promises to be a very challenging and unpredictable two-months. Before Congress leaves for the August summer break, they will attempt to deal with most of the 2018 appropriations,
The Need To Raise the Debt Ceiling
The debt ceiling must be raised again and it could suck all the oxygen out of the political room. Technically the federal government is restricted from paying its bills once the ceiling on total federal
Administration Vacancies and the Impact
The Partnership for Public Service tracks the progress of Administration hiring. There are over 1200 positions that require an OK from the US Senate. Many of these however are somewhat less significant such
2018 Appropriations, Next Stop CR
While dealing with a debt ceiling, Congress must be on a fast track on the FY 2018 appropriations with the new fiscal year starting on October 1. To this point the dozen appropriations committees are
Senate’s Chance To Deal on ACA
After the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) issued the new assessment of the American Health Care Act that showed that the amendments made to the original bill costs $32 billion more and it will reduced
A Host of Reauthorizations But Some Need Passage
There are dozens of federal programs that need reauthorization and are not likely to get extended, at least not in this year. Some reauthorizations ran out years ago but they can still receive funding through
Mandatory Spending and Targets
There were a host of cuts in the President’s budget that come from cuts and the elimination of mandatory and entitlement spending. These would likely take a new reconciliation bill created out of a 2018
Budget Targets Billions In Vital Funding
The Administration released their full 2018 budget on Tuesday, May 23, titled A New Foundation for American Greatness. The good news is that they do not propose converting Title IV-E into a block grant
CBO: 23 Million Uninsured, Reduced Savings in Revised AHCA
On Wednesday, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) issued the new assessment of the American Health Care Act. It showed that the amendments made to the original bill costs $32 billion more and it reduced
SSBG and TANF Take Big Hit
As noted both SSBG and TANF are targeted as major revenue raisers through the elimination of SSBG and a cut of $1.7 billion to TANF. There is a letter of support of SSBG that
Urban Institute & RWJ Show State Medicaid Losses Under House Health Bill
Another study has examined the losses that will be absorbed by the American Health Care Act per capita cap as well as Speaker Ryan’s Better Way proposal. This study, The Impact of Per Capita
Home Visiting and CHIP Reauthorizations Get Muted Support
The President’s new budget endorses both the reauthorization of the Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) program and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) but in both cases the budget falls short. The
Interstate Compact Bill Reintroduced
Senator Todd Young (R-IN) is reintroducing the Modernizing the Interstate Placement of Children in Foster Care Act. Referred to by some as the NEICE bill, standing for the National Electronic Interstate Compact Enterprise project, the
Congressman Davis Introduces Bill on Teen Pregnancy and Foster Youth
On Thursday, May 25, Congressman Danny Davis (D-IL) introduced new legislation that attempts to develop and promote strategies to reduce the rate of teen and unplanned pregnancies within the foster care population.
The legislation, which has
Budget Cuts Funding for Evidence-Based Teen Pregnancy Reduction
The new Davis bill addressing an important need comes on the heels of an Administration budget that cuts a key program that promotes evidence-based teen pregnancy reduction programs. The budget includes the elimination of the
RAND Study Highlight Impact of Up-Front and Prevention Efforts
The Rand Corporation has come up with a new study of a model of care that they say can address both prevention and child welfare treatment. It focuses on investments into three elements of this
House Moves Juvenile Justice Reauthorization
On Tuesday, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 1809, the Juvenile Justice Reform Act of 2017. The bill was adopted on a voice vote reflecting the bipartisan sponsors that they can get a reauthorization done
Trump Administration Brings Back President Bush Appointees
Earlier this month the Administration announced some key appointments within the Administration for Children and Families (ACF).
Clarence Carter is the new head of the Office of Family Assistance. Carter comes from Arizona where he had
Budget Tomorrow—Cuts Expected
The Administration is expected to release the 2018 budget on Tuesday, May 23. That budget will provide the specifics of the significant cuts the President had proposed in March. It should also shine some light
CBO Budget Score on Health Care Bill Wednesday
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO), will release their updated study of the American Health Care Act (AHCA) on Wednesday, May 24. Technically the House is still holding the bill pending the CBO before it is
Groups In Support of SSBG Gear Up for Proposed Budget Cut
If you haven’t seen it before, a coalition group including CWLA has sent Capitol Hill a letter of support of SSBG that will serve as a reminder to Capitol Hill on the importance of
Immigration Statement
The Child Welfare League of America has joined onto a Five Principles to Guide Any Changes to Immigration Law, Policy or Procedure. Joining with other national, state and local organizations, the signatories agree that
Subcommittee Looks at Disconnected Youth, Could Set Up Budget Cuts
On Wednesday, the House Subcommittee on Human Resources conducted an oversight hearing labeled, Opportunities for Youth and Young Adults to Break the Cycle of Poverty. The hearing focused on private and non-profit strategies to move
Sexual Abuse Reporting Bill Moves Out of House Committee
One week after the Senate Judiciary Committee acted, the House Judiciary Committee acted on HR 1973 to address recent reports of sexual abuse of Olympic athletes. The bill however differs from the Senate version which
Respite Bill Reauthorization Introduced
A bill to reauthorize the Lifespan Respite Care Program at $15 million a year for five years has been reintroduced in the Senate and House. The bill is being sponsored by Senator Susan Collins (R-ME)