Administration

Budget Extended To December 21

The memorials to President George H.W. Bush forced Congress to push off any discussion of the budget last week. As a result a short term continuing resolution (CR) was quickly agreed to and passed by Thursday. The extension now means that funding will run out shortly before the Christmas break. The memorial services also meant

HHS Inspector General Examines Immigrant Facility

Last week the Inspector General for HHS released a new inspection report to Assistant Secretary Lynn Johnson that criticized conditions and practices at a Texas facility for unaccompanied children. The IG is in the process of inspecting 45 facilities. These inspections are in person and include records and documents check of the facilities. The facility

CWLA Submits Comments Opposing Public Charge Changes

Shaquita Ogletree On Friday, December 7, CWLA submitted comments in response to the proposed changes that would penalize immigrant families who seek assistance meeting their basic needs. The “public charge” test is designed to identify people who may depend on the government as their main source of support. On October 10, the Department of Homeland

HHS Releases First Guidance On Family First Services

Late Friday, The Administration on Children and Families released its first guidance and preliminary list of services for funding under the Family First Prevention Services Act (PL 115-123)—(FFA). The guidance at ACYF-CB-PI-18-09 gives an overview of some of the initial decisions made by HHS in the interpretation and implementation of the Family First Act. Included

Budget Finish Still Uncertain

With only 4 days until funding runs out on 25 percent of the federal budget, it is still unclear how the story of the FY 2019 ends. It appears likely there will be a short-term extension this week but that is because of the funeral and ceremonies in honor of former President George H.W. Bush.

Family Separation at Border Much Earlier: 60 Minutes

Last Sunday, November 25, the CBS news program, 60 Minutes, reported on children separated at the border. What the 60 Minutes segment revealed was what some critics had suspected; they had been separating children from their families much earlier than 2018. The story also documented through interviews with officials from within the government some of

Children’s Bureau Encourages More Primary Prevention

On November 16, the Children’s Bureau issued ACYF-CB-IM-18-05, a memorandum on primary prevention, and “to strongly encourage all child welfare agencies and Children’s Bureau (CB) grantees to work together with the courts and other appropriate public and private agencies and partners to plan, implement and maintain integrated primary prevention networks and approaches to strengthen families

HHS Begins A Year of Focus on Adopting Teens

On Tuesday, November 13, the Department of Health and Human Services used their National Adoption Month celebration to highlight a new focus for the next year on the promotion of adoption of teenagers from foster care. The annual event, which began in 1994, was held in the great hall of the Hubert H. Humphrey HHS

Congress Returns for 2018 Clean-Up and Look to 2019

The 115th Congress returns on Tuesday, November 13 to attempt to finish up their FY 2018 business and start to plan for a new majority in the House and a bigger one in the Senate. By December 7, funding will run out for a handful of departments including Homeland Security and the Justice Department. It

Let the Changes Begin 2019

Both houses will experience significant changes in the 2019 committees with the House flipping control while the existing Republican Senate Majority will be looking to accommodate at least 5 new Senators to in 2019. The Senate: The Senate Finance Committee will have a new Chair with the retirement of Senator Orin Hatch (R-UT). Senator Mike

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