Senate Finance Hearing Adds to Collection of May Child Welfare Events
May is National Foster Care Month and as a result there have been a number of events on and around Capitol Hill focusing attention on child welfare in an effort to highlight issues around out
White House To Highlight Child Welfare Champions On Tuesday, Watch
On Tuesday, May 19th, the White House will honor twelve former foster youth as “Champions of Change” because they are making a difference in their communities. The program will feature remarks by U.S. Secretary of
House Starts Up Appropriations Work
The House is starting to debate and vote on some of the 12 appropriations bills now that a final budget resolution has been adopted and spending ceilings are in place. That process may be long
Briefing Highlights Economics of Prevention
On Thursday, May 14, The National Prevention Science Coalition to Improve Lives (NPSC) sponsored a Capitol Hill briefing with speakers who focused on the economics of prevention. Much of the discussion focused on the
Children’s Bureau Offers Webinars on Key Foster Care Issues
As part of their efforts and recognition of May as National Foster Care Month, the Children’s Bureau is hosting
Wyden Bill Would Provide New Funding To Child Welfare
On Monday, May 5, Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), the Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee released a “discussion draft” of legislation that would invest new money into child welfare services through Title IV-E of
Letter of Support for Administration Budget Proposals
The Child Welfare League of America is part of a number of groups led by First Focus Campaign for Children, along with Children’s Defense Fund (CDF), Foster Family-based Treatment Association (FFTA), Generations United (GU), the
Foster Youth Caucus Discusses Kinship Care
Wednesday, May 6 the Senate Caucus on Foster Youth held the first of a series of four briefings during National Foster Care Month (May). The caucus chaired by Senator Charles Grassley (R-IA) and Senator Debbie
Budget Update Budget Resolution Agreement
The Senate gave final approval to a concurrent budget resolution when 51 Republican Senators approved the measure last Tuesday. The resolution allows for two significant actions: it allows Congress to spend more on the
How Reconciliation Could Sink Loan Forgiveness, SSBG
The concurrent resolution is binding in regard to how Congress can use the reconciliation process, although they could decide not to pass a reconciliation bill. Under the agreement it allows reconciliation but narrows it to
Children’s Bureau Offers Webinars on Key Foster Care Issues
As part of their efforts and recognition of May as National Foster Care Month, the Children’s Bureau is hosting two webinars in the next two weeks. The first webinar, Supporting Permanency for LGBTQ Youth in
CWLA Completes 2015 National Conference
The CWLA 2015 National Conference took place in Washington DC with over 60 workshops and additional super sessions, plenary speakers and recognition of various champions. The Conference was also the setting for the official
CWLA Recognizes Congressional Advocates on Children’s Issues
CWLA recognized three members of Congress for their advocacy and work over the past year. Senator Patty Murray was recognized on Monday as a Congressional Champion for her on going work on behalf of children.
Congress Reaches Budget Resolution Agreement
Republican negotiators reached final budget resolution as described here on the House Budget Committee site. Last week there was some back and forth between House and Senate Republicans about some spending issues but all
White House Focuses Attention On Homeless Youth
On Wednesday, April 29 CWLA participated in a policy briefing at the White House that focused attention on youth and homelessness at the White House. The session included a series of comments from key Administration
House Subcommittee Holds Hearing TANF Reauthorization
On Thursday, April 30, the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Human Resources held a hearing on the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant. The hearing could be the precursor to a full
Bipartisan Juvenile Justice Bill Reintroduced
In light of last week’s hearings, Senator Charles Grassley (R-IA) and Senator Sheldon Whitehouse have reintroduced a bill from the last Congress that would reauthorize the Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA). The legislation carries
CWLA Begins Conference, Asks For Virtual Hill Day Action
The CWLA 2015 National Conference starts on Sunday, April 26 with over 60 workshops and additional sessions, presentations, meetings and events beginning the next day. One of the main features will be Tuesday, April
Senate Frees Trafficking Bill, Adds CAPTA Requirements
Last week the Senate passed S 178, the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act. Before passing the bill senators added several amendments including additional requirements under the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) along
Prevent Child Abuse America & CWLA Paper Flags Low CAPTA Funding
On April 23, the Child Welfare League of America (CWLA) and Prevent Child Abuse America (PCA) released a new Capitol Hill brief, A Call to Action for the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act.
Senators To Justice: Hold States Accountable, Update Regulations on JJ
On Tuesday, April 21, the Senate Judiciary Committee held an oversight hearing Improving Accountability and Oversight of Juvenile Justice Grants Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA) with a focus on some recent whistleblower complaints alleging a
Congress Moving Toward Appropriations Process
Republican negotiators were getting closer to reaching an agreement on a concurrent budget resolution or one resolution that combines the House and Senate versions (H. Con Res 27 and S. Con. Res. 11
Home Visiting and CHIP Extended For Two Years
Late last Tuesday the Senate gave final approval to the Medicare SRG “doc fix” and in doing so also extended by two years the home visiting program (Maternal and Infant Early Childhood Home Visiting—MIECHV) and
HELP Committee Moves ESEA Legislation Out Of Committee
On Thursday, April 16 the Senate HELP Committee gave a unanimous vote of approval to a bipartisan bill to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). The unnumbered bill is called the Every Child