In response to the CDC’s 2019 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance (YRBS) data released in August 2020, “the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) foundation analyzed the data and found that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) youth are living in a state of crisis.” The HRC’s Project THRIVE aims to build the knowledge, skills, and capacities
On Tuesday, October 6, HUD’s Secretary Ben Carson issued a notice expanding the Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) program to reach more youth aging out of foster care. The FYI program is an initiative of HUD that expanded and enhanced the existing Family Unification Program (FUP) to reach more youth leaving foster care. Both FUP
One of the most popular provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is that part of the law that prohibits insurance companies from denying health insurance coverage because a patient has a “pre-existing condition.” A pre-existing condition could cover any number of previous illnesses, health history, or other circumstances that insurance companies, before the ACA,
In October 2020, SchoolHouse connection published a report, “FAFSA & Homeless Youth: Challenges + Recommendations in the COVID-19 Era,” regarding the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) among homeless youth during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many students that are filling out the FAFSA are “dependent students,” which typically means the student is under the age
The ABA Legal Center for Foster Care and Education, the Center, and CWLA held a special member call on Wednesday, September 9, 2020, to discuss the education needs of children and families involved with child welfare during COVID-19. In normal circumstances, foster students experience unique challenges in the education system, but now given the nature
Earlier this month, Congressmember Karen Bass (D-CA) introduced the Foster Youth Dental Act of 2020. The legislation attempts to strengthen dental coverage under the Medicaid program for young people in foster care by expanding eligibility, providing incentives for dental providers, enhancing outreach efforts for enrollment, and protecting existing coverage for foster youth. Youth enrolled
New York City foster care worker Guy Bryant has changed hundreds of lives in the course of his career. But his commitment doesn't stop at the office. In the last 15 years, he's welcomed 60 foster kids into his own family. Watch how Guy and all these essential people are making a difference in the
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, new report found that during June 24-30, 2020, 11 percent of young adults seriously considered suicide. 40 percent of U.S. adults reported struggling with mental health or substance use during the pandemic, including anxiety/depression systems or trauma or stressor-related disorder symptoms. The CDC's new data included self-reported
On Monday, July 27, 2020, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) released his party’s counter to the House of Representatives HEROES Act. The rest of last week left the impression that Senate Republicans are not sure about the next steps. The HEALS Act, as it has been labeled, is actually eight different bills from different members
Last week, Arizona provided a directive to foster parents and relative caregivers that when schools reopen, children in foster care should be attending school. The Department has said they will consider some exceptions. The Arizona Department of Child Safety Director Mike Faust said in a public statement that he reached the decision based on consultation