People

HHS Study on Termination of Parental Rights and Adoptions

Last week the HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) released, Freeing Children for Adoption within the Adoption and Safe Families Act Timeline explores how frequently states make exceptions to the federal requirement that child welfare agencies file to terminate parental rights for children who remain in foster care for at least 15

National Day of Action: Monday, February 22—Urge Congress to Pass the #AmericanRescuePlan

CWLA will be joining FRAC, the Coalition on Human Needs, MomsRising, NETWORK Lobby, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, First Focus, many other leading anti-poverty organizations, and advocates across the country on Monday, February 22 for a Digital/Call-in Day of Action urging Congress to pass the American Rescue Plan.   Follow CWLA’s Action Center

Older Youth Pandemic Relief: Extension of Foster Care Services

On Wednesday, February 17, 2021, Foster Club and the Juvenile Law Center co-hosted another Older Youth Pandemic Relief. This session discussed the extension of foster care services provisions from the Supporting Foster Youth and Families Through the Pandemic Act included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act legislation passed in December 2020.   Presenters included Jennifer Pokempner from

Democrats Formally Introduce Sweeping Immigration Bill

On Thursday, February 18, 2021, Congressional Democrats introduced a sweeping immigration bill. Unveiled by Representative Linda T. Sánchez (D-CA) and Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ), this legislation is based on the proposal announced by President Biden on his first day in office, which would be called the U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021.   The bill introduces

HHS Reports Suggests Better Drug Treatment, Reduce Child Abuse

Last week the HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) released, Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder May Reduce Substantiated Cases of Child Abuse and Neglect. The report, which builds on earlier analysis by ASPE regarding substance use and the child welfare system, indicated that increased treatment capacity predicts decreased rates of substantiated abuse

House Assembles Reconciliation, Many Priority Areas Funded

Last week, nine House Committees acted on their parts of a reconciliation bill that will make up President Biden’s COVID-19 relief measure. Within the package are key CWLA priorities, including more than $39 billion in child care funding, year one of a Children’s Allowance, $350 billion in state and local government relief, $350 million more in

11 Senators Re-Introduce the Emergency Family Stabilization Act

Last week, the following Senators re-introduced the bipartisan Emergency Family Stabilization Act (EFSA) S.220: Senators Murkowski (R-AK), Manchin (D-WV), Collins (R-ME), Sinema (D-AZ), Shaheen (D-NH), Schatz (D-HI), Hassan (D-NH), Casey (D-PA), Hirono (D-HI), Kelly (D-AZ), and Sullivan (R-AK). The Emergency Family Stabilization Act was created by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and

Dear Colleague Letter

Young people with experience in foster care have suffered significantly as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Supporting Foster Youth and Families Through the Pandemic Act was passed on December 27, 2020 as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 following months of advocacy by young people. This law promises to provide relief

New Family First Clearinghouse Ratings Released in 2021

On Wednesday, February 10, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) released four more Title IV-E Prevention Services programs and services ratings for the Title IV-E Prevention Services in accordance with the Family First Prevention Services Act.   The Family Check-UP® is a brief, strengths-based intervention model for children ages 2 through 17. Family Check-Up

Kinship Provisions of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021

Generations United conducted a webinar on February 9, 2021, in collaboration with the Children’s Defense Fund and the American Bar Association Center on Children and the Law. This webinar discussed the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 and its implications for "grandfamilies." Divisions of the Appropriations Act outline provisions to help relative caregivers and allow the

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