On January 14, 2021, the Children’s Bureau released the annual child abuse and neglect report: Child Maltreatment 2019. The numbers show a decrease in the rates of abuse and neglect for last year’s report, but infants and young children have the highest child maltreatment rates in their first year of life. For the federal fiscal year
One of the first critical decisions that will have to be worked out over the next several days is how President Biden will get his COVID-19 proposal through Congress. As a veteran senator who was also key to many of the Obama Administration’s congressional negotiations, he has raised hopes for bipartisan action, but that would
The Biden Administration has announced more moves for the Department of Health and Human Services. While the Department waits on the Senate confirmation of California Attorney General Xavier Becerra as the new Secretary, Acting Secretary Norris Cochran made several moves. Sean McCluskie was appointed the department’s Chief of Staff and Anne Reid as the Deputy
Among the dozens of Executive Orders signed or expected to be signed by President Biden starting on January 20, 2021, were: an extension on a freeze on evictions and foreclosures through the end of March, a freeze on student loans, a repeal of President Trump order that attempted to stop diversity training by federal agencies,
On Thursday, January 21, 2021, the President issued his National Strategy for the COVID-19 Response and Pandemic Preparedness. The 200-page document outlines new and future executive orders and steps the Administration intends to take regarding COVID-19. Of particular interest for the child welfare community will be actions on Goal Five: Safely reopen schools, businesses, and travel
January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. This is a key time for us all to educate ourselves about human trafficking and to develop comprehensive responses that assist victims and potential victims. The Children’s Bureau has updated their States Statutes guide with the latest information for each state's and territory’s trafficking laws for
On Sunday, January 3, 2021, the new 117th Congress began. On January 5, the fate of the Senate was decided when the two Georgia senate seats were filled by two Democrats. The run-off elections were the result of the November election, where none of the candidates won a clear majority of the total Georgia vote—a
The Children’s Bureau released new IM regarding “Achieving Permanency for the Well-Being of Children and Youth” on Tuesday, January 5, 2021, signed by Commissioner Elizabeth Darling. The IM purposes were the following: To provide information on best practices, resources, and recommendations for achieving permanency for children and youth in a way that prioritizes the child’s
CWLA has published its transition paper for the new Administration and new Congress. The report has been circulated with key staff over the past several weeks. It reflects a look forward to improving child welfare services and more broadly strengthening families across the country. This A Stronger Foundation for America’s Families reflects the collective wisdom, insights, and concerns
At the end of last month, President Donald J Trump signed into law a $908 billion relief package in the larger omnibus budget legislation. Still, the President-elect has indicated they would be seeking additional help for a country devastated by a pandemic that is trending toward more than 400,000 to over a half million fatalities