Tuesday, April 5th, 2022 the Health Subcommittee of the Committee on Energy and Commerce held a hearing on several important bills, including H.R. 7236, the Strengthening Kids' Mental Health Now Act. If enacted, H.R. 7236 would expand the availability of mental, emotional, and behavioral health services under the Medicaid program. This bipartisan legislation would bolster the infrastructure for
The Supporting Family Economic Well-Being Through Home Visiting (HomeEc) project is identifying promising practices supporting family economic well-being that hold potential for inclusion in home visiting programs; the project is soliciting nominations of practices – that is, services, strategies, or activities – to support family economic well-being. Practices should be stand-alone or may be a
On Monday, March 28th, 2022, Think of Us hosted a Town Hall with the Children’s Bureau. Speakers included representatives of the Administration, Aysha E. Schomburg, Associate Commissioner of the Children’s Bureau, and people with the lived experiences of LGBTQ+ youth. Associate Commissioner Schomburg echoed other speakers’ sentiments of standing behind LGBTQ+ children and families especially
Last week a series of hearings were held about the President’s Fiscal Year 2023 Budget. The House Budget Committee, The Senate Budget Committee, and House Appropriation Committee members expressed multiple concerns about COVID spending, the impact of Defense cuts, a need for increased Infrastructure, issues with the current economic crisis, and the Ukrainian and Russian conflict.
National Child Abuse Prevention Month recognizes the importance of families and communities working together to strengthen families to prevent child abuse and neglect. Through this collaboration, prevention services and supports help protect children and produce thriving families. This year's theme, "Thriving Children and Families: Prevention With Purpose," emphasizes preventing child abuse by recognizing our collective
Assistant Secretary of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Miriam Delphin-Rittmon writes: “As a clinical psychologist, academician, and government leader, I have focused on ensuring that mental health care services and policies are culturally responsive, evidence-based and in the best interest of those receiving services. Providing timely, appropriate, and evidence-based treatment vastly improves outcomes and can
On Tuesday, March 22nd, 2022 the Senate HELP Committee held a hearing entitled ‘Child Care and Preschool: Cutting Costs for Working Families.’ The hearing centered around how to provide affordable childcare to families. Chairwoman Patty Murray (D-WA) and Democrats advocated for the proposal included in President Biden’s Build Back Better package, which would expand the
On Wednesday March 23rd, 2022, Chairwoman Patty Murray (D-WA) led the Senate HELP Committee’s hearing: “Strengthening Federal Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Programs: Opportunities, Challenges, and Emerging Issues.” The Committee members and witnesses discussed issues necessitating bipartisan legislation addressing the increasing severity of the mental health and substance use disorders prevailing across the country.
The Center on Poverty and Social Policy at Columbia University has released its newest monthly report on child poverty, finding that 3.4 million more children were in poverty in February 2022 than in December 2021, when families were still receiving the monthly Child Tax Credit payments. Monthly poverty remained elevated in February. Child poverty rates
February 2022 The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) recently released “Gender-Affirming Care is Trauma-Informed Care,” a new fact sheet that defines gender-affirming care, describes approaches for supporting trans, gender-diverse, and intersex (TGI) youth, and includes additional tools for providers. From the release: “Transgender, gender diverse, and intersex (TGI) youth can thrive when they are