Treasury Releases Study Child Care

Last Wednesday, September 15, 2021, the United States Department of Treasury released a study on the significance of child care to the U.S. economy and to families. The report, The Economics of Child Care Supply in the United States, indicated that for an average family with at least one child under age 5, approximately 13 percent

Planning Title IV-E Prevention Services: A Toolkit for States

Mathematica Planning Title IV-E Prevention Services: A Toolkit for States includes a section on Identifying and Engaging Partners in implementation of the Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA). With states at various stages of successfully planning and implementation and must consider the following things: 1) understanding their candidacy of foster care, 2) figuring out the

Child Advocates Call on Congress to Extend Chafee (Pandemic Relief Funding)

On Thursday, September 9, 2021, the National Foster Youth Institute (NFYI) hosted a Congressional Briefing with Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth Co-chair, Rep. Jim Langevin (D-RI). Kenneth Chancey, Policy Manager of NFYI, organized this Congressional Briefing to highlight H.R. 5167. In this legislation, Chafee pandemic funding would extend into 2022, including access to increased funding eligibility to extended youth in foster care

House Committees Begin Work on Reconciliation

Last week the House Ways and Means Committee and other committees began to work on their parts of the reconciliation package. The Ways and Means Committee began work on their version of family and medical leave, trade, retirement, and Medicare expansion, but they have left other actions for this week. The House Education and Labor started their work

Early Findings CTC Cutting Food Insecurity

An August analysis based on Census data released after the first Child Tax Credit (CTC) was issued in July indicated that the percentage of American families with kids who report not having enough to eat fell dramatically. The data offer proof that the monthly payments are having a major and immediate impact on millions of households.  

Medicaid Work Waivers Dropped

On August 10, 2021, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) sent letters to the states of Ohio, South Carolina, and Utah that followed up on February 12 letters, rejecting those states Medicaid waivers that attempted to impose work requirements for people seeking health care coverage under Medicaid. The letters signed by CMS Administrator

Senate Passes Infrastructure Legislation and Resolution

Last week the Senate completed action on a bipartisan infrastructure bill (HR 3684) and then moved a budget resolution that will allow for a budget reconciliation bill. The House leadership announced they would come back from the summer break to take up the resolution during the week of August 23, 2021.     The infrastructure bill passed 69

Children’s Bureau Commits to Advancing Equity

On Tuesday, August 10, 2021, the Children’s Bureau Associate Commissioner Aysha Schomburg released a letter affirming the Bureau’s commitment to advancing equity through its work at the federal level and through its work with states, territories, tribes, and all other grantees. Associate Commissioner Schomburg describes advancing equity as: “Being committed to equity means that we

Rental Assistance is Available to Help Renters and Landlords

Dear CWLA Champions: Please share this information with you clients, staff, and networks! If you’re a renter having trouble paying your rent, utilities, or other housing costs – or if you’re a landlord trying to stay afloat with tenants in this situation – help may be available. State and local programs are distributing billions of

Organizations Call for QRTP Facilities Exemption From IMD Restrictions

More than 500 organizations have signed a letter to Congress requesting that residential facilities that meet the new Family First Act “Qualified Residential Treatment Program” (QRTP) standards be exempt from being classified by Medicaid (CMS) as an Institution for Mental Diseases or “IMD.” The letter in part states: “(The Family First Prevention Services Act) FFPSA

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