On Wednesday, May 25th, 2022, agencies across the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a joint letter to states, tribes, and jurisdictions encouraging them to prioritize and maximize their efforts to strengthen children’s mental health and well-being. The letter, signed by leaders of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), the Substance
This week, Congress and the White House took steps to address the nationwide baby formula shortage, seeking to ease the burden especially for families with low incomes and those who need hypoallergenic formula for babies with milk allergies. On Wednesday, May 18th, the House passed the Access to Baby Formula Act, a bill led by
On Friday, May 20th, the Government Accountability Office released its new report, “Foster Care: Further Assistance from HHS Would be Helpful in Supporting Youth's LGBTQ+ Identities and Religious Beliefs.” The report concluded that a majority of states have nondiscrimination protections for youth in foster care, but selected states and stakeholders identified challenges supporting youth with
On Wednesday, May 25th at 12:00 PM ET, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will host the first of a monthly partner education series on Medicaid and CHIP Continuous Enrollment Unwinding. Over the COVID-19 public health emergency, the federal government eased rules to prevent
This week, the White House made several statements regarding the shortage of infant formula across the nation. On Feb. 17, the agency warned consumers not to use certain powdered infant formula products from Abbott Nutrition’s Sturgis, Michigan facility, and Abbott initiated a voluntary recall of certain products. On Monday, May 10th, 2022, the White House
In recognition of both National Foster Care Month and Mental Health Awareness Month, the Children's Bureau (CB) hosted a virtual event on Wednesday, May 11, at 5:00pm ET, to discuss the "intersection of family separation, trauma, and triumph." Panelists were: Aysha E. Schomburg, Associate Commissioner, CB Nicole Childers, foster care lived experience and executive editor
ZERO TO THREE released the State of Babies Yearbook: 2022 on May 3rd, 2022, in a virtual briefing featuring ZERO TO THREE Chief Policy Officer Miriam Calderón, Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), Sen. Bob Casey (D-Penn.), and families with young children who shared their experiences. The yearbook is designed to bridge the gap between science and
On Wednesday, May 5th, 2022, during the Senate Appropriations Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee hearing about the President’s FY23 Health and Human Services Budget request, Senator Braun (R-IN) used his time to question Secretary Becerra about gender-affirming care, “a subject that is really creating controversy around the country.” Senator Braun
At the Senate Appropriation’s Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies hearing on the President’s proposed FY23 Budget, mental health and the new 988 crisis and suicide prevention hotline were raised multiple times. Chairwoman Patty Murray, in her opening remarks, noted that “the kids are not okay,” as over 200,000 kids have lost
On May 4th, 2022, the White House announced that it will convene a White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health in September, more than 50 years since the first and only conference on the issue. The first White House Conference on Nutrition was convened in 1969 by President Nixon with the goal of ending