Prevention

CWLA Calls for Action on Immigration, Urging Caution on Child Welfare Role

On Thursday, July 25, 2019 CWLA President & CEO Chris James-Brown issued a position statement regarding family separation and national immigration policy. “We are urging Congress and the President to strengthen protections for these families and, where protections don’t exit, to create them in an appropriate way that keeps families together. CWLA also urges great

New Family First Clearinghouse Ratings Released

  On Wednesday, July 24, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) released two 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. Healthy Families America (HFA) is a nationally accredited home visiting program that was developed by Prevent Child

Strengthening Federal Support to End Youth Homelessness

On July 16, the Civil Rights and Human Services Subcommittee held a hearing entitled Strengthening Federal Support to End Youth Homelessness. Chairwoman Bonamici (D-OR) stated in her opening statement that it is a “responsibility to provide every child and youth with a safe and stable environment to learn and grow.” She noted that the Runaway

GAO Says HHS-ACA Guidance Is Rule for Congressional Review

  The Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued an opinion on July 15, 2019 telling Congress that recent changes the Administration made to the ACA waiver authority were significant enough to allow for congressional review because it is a new federal “rule.” As a result, it is subject to congressional oversight and requires certain reporting to

Women and Girls in the Criminal Justice System

  On July 16, the House Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security held a hearing on “Women and Girls in the Criminal Justice System” to examine the exponential growth of women being incarcerated for nonviolent offenses since the 1980s. In Chairwoman Bass’ (D-CA) opening statement, she noted many consequences of mass incarceration, such as

Pediatrician Finds States with Stricter Gun Laws Have Fewer Child Fatalities

A new study published in PEDIATRICS offers evidence that states with stricter gun laws including laws requiring universal background checks for firearm purchase had lower firearm-related pediatric mortality rates. Pointing out that firearms are the second lead cause of pediatric deaths, the authors said: “In this 5-year analysis, states with stricter gun laws and laws

Immigration Continues to Get Its Focus From Congress

Congress continued to focus and debate immigration policy through a series of actions last week. The House Committee on Oversight and Reform held two hearing on Wednesday, “Kids in Cages: Inhumane Treatment at the Border” and a hearing, “The Trump Administration’s Child Separation Policy: Substantiated Allegations of Mistreatment” on Friday. In addition there were several

House Appropriations Final Bill Has Big Victory for CB-CAP

Last month, when the House of Representatives approved a four-bill appropriations package that included appropriations for the Department of Health and Human Services (by a vote of 226-to 203) they included an important improvement for child abuse prevention. The final House appropriation for the Community-Based Child Abuse Prevention (CB-CAP) received a $35 million increase to

Using Telemedicine for Mental Health

On Wednesday, June 10, 2019 the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (JJDPA) and the Western Regional Children’s Advocacy Center conducted a webinar “Tele-Mental Health: The Clinician’s Perspective” to discuss the need for web-based psychotherapy sessions. The webinar also addressed issues that arise with trying to deliver virtual therapy. Christopher Walsh, Director of Operations

Congress Oks $4.6 Billion in Border Relief, Not Without Divisions

Congress gave final approval to a border funding bill totaling approximately $4.6 billion negotiated between Senate Republicans and Democrats. The final bill approved in the House by a vote of 305 to 102 included a mix of Democrats and Republicans. Many House Democrats were unhappy about the fact that, earlier in the week, a Democrats-only

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