JohnS

About John Sciamanna

John Sciamanna is CWLA's Vice President of Public Policy.

New Jersey’s Experience in Providing Direct Assistance to Young People

On Wednesday, February 24, 2021, Foster Club and the Juvenile Law Center cohosted a webinar to support state advocates successfully implementing funds from the Consolidated Appropriations Act. This webinar focused on how New Jersey implemented funds from the CARES Act to young people. New Jersey received $2.4 billion block grant to address emergent needs and New

Former HHS Assistant Secretary, Lynn Johnson, Provides Advice for the Biden Administration on Faith-based Agencies

On Wednesday, February 24, 2021, the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) and the National Review Institute hosted Lynn Johnson in her first public conversation since leaving Washington. Lynn Johnson served as the Assistant Secretary at HHS’s Administration for Children and Families and discussed a wide array of topics, including extensive paperwork inhibiting agency effectiveness, lack of

Administration Give Priority to Small Businesses for PPP

Last Wednesday, February 24, 2021, the Biden Administration opened a window of February 24 through March 9, 2021, for businesses (including non-profits) of 20 or less employees to apply for a second-round application for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).   The program was extended again this year after last year’s December COVID-19 package was signed

Analysis of State Economies Show Government Job Loss

The COVID-19 reconciliation bill moving through Congress would provide state and local governments with $350 billion in relief, and a new analysis by the Washington Post seems to demonstrate states will need it.   On February 15, 2021, the Post published a story that shows states losing 1.3 million jobs since the start of the pandemic. State

Becerra Hearings This Week, CMS Nomination, More HHS Appointments

The Senate HELP Committee will hold a hearing on the selection of Xavier Becerra to be the next Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. The HELP Committee is one of two committees that review the nomination for HHS. The HELP hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, February 23, 2021, at 10:00 AM (430

HealthCare.gov Special Enrollment Period 2021

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) created an emergency Special Enrollment Period (SEP) due to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) that would allow individuals and families to apply and enroll in the coverage they need, after President Biden Executive Order issued last month, January 28, 2021.   Some of the life changes that can qualify

HHS Study on Termination of Parental Rights and Adoptions

Last week the HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) released, Freeing Children for Adoption within the Adoption and Safe Families Act Timeline explores how frequently states make exceptions to the federal requirement that child welfare agencies file to terminate parental rights for children who remain in foster care for at least 15

National Day of Action: Monday, February 22—Urge Congress to Pass the #AmericanRescuePlan

CWLA will be joining FRAC, the Coalition on Human Needs, MomsRising, NETWORK Lobby, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, First Focus, many other leading anti-poverty organizations, and advocates across the country on Monday, February 22 for a Digital/Call-in Day of Action urging Congress to pass the American Rescue Plan.   Follow CWLA’s Action Center

Older Youth Pandemic Relief: Extension of Foster Care Services

On Wednesday, February 17, 2021, Foster Club and the Juvenile Law Center co-hosted another Older Youth Pandemic Relief. This session discussed the extension of foster care services provisions from the Supporting Foster Youth and Families Through the Pandemic Act included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act legislation passed in December 2020.   Presenters included Jennifer Pokempner from

Democrats Formally Introduce Sweeping Immigration Bill

On Thursday, February 18, 2021, Congressional Democrats introduced a sweeping immigration bill. Unveiled by Representative Linda T. Sánchez (D-CA) and Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ), this legislation is based on the proposal announced by President Biden on his first day in office, which would be called the U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021.   The bill introduces

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