Advocacy

Children’s Bureau to Issue New Guidance on Child Support

The Children's Bureau announced a new Child Welfare Policy Manual Q/A regarding Title IV-E agencies securing child support payments for children in foster care. More information to come. Question: Section 471(a)(17) of the Social Security Act (the Act) requires title IV-E agencies to “where appropriate” take “all steps” to secure an assignment of the rights

June is Reunification Month

National Reunification Month was created in 2010 by the American Bar Assocation (ABA) to celebrate the people and efforts around the country that help families stay together. According to AFCARS data, reunification is the most common permanency option achieved by children in the child welfare system. Visit the ABA's National Reunification Month website for webinars,

Foster Youth and Driving Act

On Friday June 3rd, 2022, House Ways and Means Worker & Family Support Subcommittee Chairman Danny K. Davis (D-IL) and Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth Co-chair Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE) introduced the Foster and Youth Driving Act, legislation that would increase the economic and social independence of youth in care by helping them obtain their

House Judiciary Committee Approves Gun Control Package

On Thursday, June 2nd, the House Judiciary Committee approved the “Protecting our Kids Act,” a wide-ranging package of gun control legislation, as a response to the tragic shootings in recent weeks. After a long session in the middle of what was supposed to be a recess, the committee voted along party lines to approve the

Formula Shortage Discussions Continue

On May 25, 2022, the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee held a hearing, “The Infant Formula Crises,” listening to testimonies relating to the effect of the crisis. Witnesses were Ms. Ginger Carney, the Director of Clinical Nutrition at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Ms. Sarah Chamberlin, the Executive

Statement on Recent Acts of Violence

CWLA joins the country in mourning the tragedies of the past two weeks, first in Buffalo, NY, and now in Uvalde, TX. Once again, senseless gun violence strains our comprehension and calls into question what kind of country and society we want to become. The violence that took the lives of 19 children and two

Gun Control Debate Takes Center Stage

In response to the shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, a small bipartisan group of nine Senators, led by Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) met on Thursday, May 26, to discuss reaching a deal on gun control reforms. Senator Murphy has been leading the call for gun reform for the Democratic Party. Other senators

Reconciliation Negotiations Revived

This week, Axios reported that Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) have revived their discussions about a reconciliation package. In December of last year, these discussions about the Build Back Better package ground to a halt when Senator Manchin announced that he could not support the legislation that was proposed.

FDA Commissioner Says Formula Shortage Could last until July

During a Senate Health, Labor, Education and Pensions (HELP) Committee hearing on Thursday, May 26th, 2022, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Robert Califf told senators that the nation’s infant formula shortage likely won’t be fully resolved until late July. Commissioner Califf said that it would take time for the administration's efforts to boost

Youth with Lived Experience Speak in Congressional Briefing

On Wednesday, May 25th, 2022, youth serving organizations, in partnership with the Senate Caucus on Foster Youth, Congressional Foster Youth Caucus, and the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Caucus, held a briefing titled, "Lifting up Lived Expertise: Fixing the System with Their Solutions - A Virtual Congressional Briefing." During this powerful livestream, several young people with

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