Negotiations Continue On Budget Resolution
Both houses have named their Budget Committee conference committee members but any final deal will be driven by what Republican members can build a consensus around. While both resolutions (H. Con Res 27 and
Tax Day, President Promotes Child Care Tax Credit, New Report Released
The President used April 15, tax day to highlight his proposed expansion of a child care expansion proposal first unveiled in January. The President called for an expanded child care credit which is designed to
Tax Day Bring Reintroduction of Refundable Adoption Tax Credit Bill
On Wednesday, April 15 Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) and Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO) introduced the Adoption Tax Credit Refundability Act of 2015. It makes the current adoption tax credit fully refundable. The adoption tax credit
Congress Returns With Goal of Single Budget Resolution
Congress returns this week with one of its top goals the passage of a single House-Senate budget resolution. The agreements that allowed the House and Senate budget resolutions (H. Con Res 27 and
Groups Issue Joint Statement On LGBT Parenting
Last week the Child Welfare League of America (CWLA) joined Voice for Adoption (VFA), the Donaldson Adoption Institute, and the North American Council on Adoptable Children (NACAC) in issuing a joint statement on Parenting
Letter In Support of SSBG Now Open For More Signatures
A letter that went to Capitol Hill on March 12, with more than 65 national organizations signing on in support of the Social Services Block Grant (SSBG) has now been re-opened for signatures by state
Bipartisan Senate ESEA Legislation Released, Votes Start Tuesday
Late Tuesday, April 7, HELP Committee Chair and Ranking Member Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN) and Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) released a bipartisan draft to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). The law more
Doc Fix Would Extend Home Visiting, CHIP, Medicaid TMA, Teen Pregnancy
When the Senate returns it is hoped that they will quickly follow up on a March 26 approval by the House of Representatives to replace the Medicare SRG “doc fix” and also extend by two
HHS Will Seek Comments on ICWA AFCARS Issues
ACF has followed the recent request for comments on revised AFCARS data reporting with a Supplemental Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on additional (Indian Child Welfare Act) ICWA-Related Data Elements. On April 2 the Administration
HHS Seeks Comments: CAPTA Guidance On Child Fatalities Disclosure
On March 31, ACF published a notice seeking public comments in the Federal Registry (80 FR 17045) on the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) in regard to public disclosure of findings or
House and Senate Pass Budget Resolutions, To Negotiate Differences
Last week both the House and Senate passed their budget resolutions setting up a negotiation over the spring break. On Wednesday, March 25 the House of Representatives gave final approval to their version of a
Social Services Block Grant Letter Open for More Signatures
A letter in support of the Social Services Block Grant (SSBG) is open for additional signatures. The original letter in support of SSBG was sent to Capitol Hill on March 12, with over 65
HHS Announces Pulling Of CAPTA Regulations
On Monday, March 30, the Administration for Children and Families announced that it is removing the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) regulations in their entirety effective June 29, 2015. They are not
Doc Fix Would Extend Home Visiting, CHIP, Medicaid TMA, Teen Pregnancy
On Thursday, March 26 the House of Representatives took up the SRG “doc fix” bill and passed it in overwhelming bipartisan fashion by a vote of 392 to 37. The legislation (HR 2), if
HHS Seeks Comments on Financial Forms Including Adoption Savings
On Monday, March 30 the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) posted a request for comments regarding financial forms that allow states and tribes to report program expenditures made in the preceding fiscal quarter and
Budget Resolutions Include Block Grants and Spending Cuts
The House of Representatives started the process last Tuesday when the Budget Committee unveiled its resolution. It includes more than $5.5 trillion in cuts over 10 years. It would do this by converting Medicaid into
Efforts Moving Toward Fix of Doc Fix
Late last week congressional leaders from both parties announced what appear to be an agreement to eliminate the Medicare Sustainable Growth Rate (SRG) formula, what is commonly referred to as the “Medicare Doc Fix.” It
HHS Releases New Home Visiting Resources and Information
HHS through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has unveiled new resources and information on the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV).
The new information includes an Issue Brief which begins to
Hill Briefing Focuses On Childhood Exposure to Violence
The National Health Collaborative on Violence and Abuse (NHCVA) hosted a Capitol Hill briefing on Wednesday on the Impact of Exposure to Violence and Abuse on Children and Youth : Implications for Health and
Trafficking Continues in Crossfire
Last week the Senate cast more votes to overcome a filibuster on S 178, the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act. It ran into major problems over an abortion-related issue. That became even more complicated
Human Services Community Express Support For SSBG
On Friday, March 12, a number of groups spearheaded by the Child Welfare League of America, Generations United, the National Association of County Human Service Directors, Zero to Three, Easter Seals and the National Adult
Senate Runs Into Roadblock on Trafficking-Justice Legislation
The Senate spent last week debating S 178, the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act but ran into major problems. S 178 attempts to establish new funding through the use of the Crime Victims
Budget Resolutions Expected This Week
The two budget committees are expected to act on a budget resolution this week. The House Budget Committee will meet on Wednesday and likely act all in one day. The Senate Budget Committee will meet
House Moves Funding Bill Next Challenge “Doc-Fix”
On Tuesday, the House, absent much debate, passed an appropriations bill that will fund the Department of Homeland Security through the rest of the fiscal year. The action to adopt a “clean” bill—without any restrictions
New IG Report Highlights Shortfall of Health Screening in Foster Care
A report by the Inspector General (IG) for HHS indicates that children in foster care are not receiving required health screenings. The report comes after a November 2014 IG report that found that there were