On Tuesday, January 27, Capitol Hill was the scene of a briefing and a report-release by the Children's Advocacy Institute and First Star that leveled heavy criticism of federal oversight of the nation’s child welfare services. The report, Shame On U.S , details an examination of the federal government and its oversight of the nation’s
Last week the House of Representatives on suspension of the rule (a fast-track vote process) passed a dozen bills intended to address or help combat human trafficking while improving services to survivors. The one most significant to child welfare would amend the Child Abuse Prevention and treatment Act (CAPTA). H.R. 469 – Strengthening Child Welfare Response
Last week the office of Community Services released two new annual reports on the Social Services Block Grant (SSBG). The 2011 and 2012 reports show similar results as the 2010 report and reaffirms how the $1.7 billion in funding continues to support a range of child welfare services—especially as a prime funder of child
On Thursday, January 22, the President’ released a child care expansion proposal to build on his support for an expanded child care tax credit first announced at the state of the Union Address on Tuesday of last week. Under the new proposal the President would provide significant increases to the child care block grant, the
Last week the Children’s Bureau released the annual 2013 Child Maltreatment Report. During the year, there were an estimated 3.5 million referrals or calls to child protective services agencies. The reports of child abuse or neglect were estimated to include 6.4 million children. Of the reports, an estimated 60.8 percent were screened in, meaning they
This past November the Office of Inspector General at HHS issued an updated report on the challenges states are facing regarding the required health screening of children through Medicaid. The IG report indicated that health screenings have increased (nationally) from 56 percent in 2006 to 63 percent in 2013, but also found that both ratios
To coincide with National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) and the National Research Council (NRC) have released a PowerPoint presentation focusing on highlights of their report Confronting Commercial Sexual Exploitation and Sex Trafficking of Minors in the United States. The presentation shares findings on how schools, law enforcement, victim
The Commission to Eliminate Child Abuse and Neglect Fatalities (CECANF), will hold a meeting open to the public on Monday, January 12 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Tuesday, January 13 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (MST) at the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown, 340 North 3rd Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004. Individuals interested in attending
Last month the Senate held a hearing on a new Department of Justice report, Ending Violence So Children Can Thrive that addressed exposure to violence by children within the American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities. An issue that surfaced in the testimony and in the report recommendations was addressed was addressed by Congress last
Over 750 national, tribal, state and local organizations and elected officials groups have signed onto a letter advocating for an extension of Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program (MIECHV). The letter says in part, “ As diverse national, state, tribal and local organizations committed to accountable policies that both improve outcomes for vulnerable