Why Families Need to File Tax Returns for the 2021 CTC
The CTC has been federal law since the mid-1990s, but last year’s expansion added several improvements that lifted approximately half of children out of poverty. It did that by making the tax “refundable’ meaning families
Children’s Bureau: National Call to Action on Racial Equity
Save the date for February 3, 2022, 2:00 PM EST, for a live event by the Children’s Bureau when they release an information memorandum (IM) “Equity in Action.” The IM covers:
- The impact of racism
President Opens Door to Revamped BBB
Marking the first year of his term in office, President Biden held a nearly two-hour press conference on Wednesday, January 19, 2022, that touched on everything including the possibility of a revamped Build Back Better
Appropriation Update
Discussions continued between key appropriations leaders, Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Senator Richard Shelby (R-AL), Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) and Congresswoman Kay Granger (R-TX). Not much has been revealed but Chairperson DeLauro offered some broad positive
Wyden-Crapo Invite Surgeon General to Discuss Youth Mental Health
Earlier this month, Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden (D-OR), and Ranking Member Mike Crapo (R-ID) announced this week’s hearing that will focus on shortfalls in mental health care for children and teenagers in America. Surgeon
CTC Kept 3.7 Million Children out of Poverty in December
On January 18th, Columbia University’s Center on Poverty and Social Policy released its newest policy brief detailing the impact of the Child Tax Credit, announcing that the sixth payment kept 3.7 million children out
Houses Focus on Voting Rights, Appropriations
The Senate continued to debate how to address voting rights including how to deal with the Senate filibuster while the House focused some attention on the appropriations for the current fiscal year, FY 2022.
Senate Majority
The Final Rule: An Opportunity for Workforce Investment
The Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) program, a part of the American Rescue Plan, delivers $350 billion to state, local, and Tribal governments across the country to support their response to
Intersection of Child Welfare and Suicide Prevention: Webinar
CWLA partnered with the SAMHSA-funded Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) to provide an informative and timely webinar centered on the intersection of child welfare and suicide prevention: considering the increasing stress brought on by the
Families Need to File Tax Returns for Rest of 2021 Child Tax Credit (CTC
While Senator Joe Manchin’s (D-WV) opposition to a continuation of the expanded CTC has put at least a temporary stop on the 2021 version of that tax credit, all qualifying families still have six months
The Pandemic’s Toll on Children’s Mental Health: Dr. Nadine Burke Harris
On January 11, Dr. Nadine Burke Harris, Surgeon General of California, joined NPR’s Morning Edition to discuss the impact of the pandemic on the mental health of children. Dr. Burke Harris is known for
Legal Representation Guidelines Released
Last week, the National Association for the Counsel for Children (NACC) published recommendations on how to approach legal protections and representation for children involved in the child protective services system. The Recommendation for Legal
Reconciliation, Voting Rights, Appropriations
Both houses of Congress return this week as the House joins the Senate in an early return. Facing members is a list of challenges some are a carryover while Covid-19 returns in another variant.
On the
Letter in Support of Build Back Better’s Childcare and Pre-K Investments
With the Build Back Better bill stalled in the Senate, many historic gains for children and families are now in jeopardy, including the proposed investments in child care and early education. The National Women’s
The Child Tax Credit: Family Impact Stories
Has the Child Tax Credit impacted your personal life or the life of a loved one? Personal stories about the direct impact of policies can be an effective strategy in advocating for change with lawmakers,
ACA Enrollment Reaches High As Open Enrollment Continues
Last month CMS announced new records for people signing up for health care coverage through the federal and state exchanges under the Affordable Care Act with more than 13.6 million people signing up for ACA
The Child Tax Credit: Research Roundup
The Center on Policy and Social Policy at Columbia University has released an important new report that rounds up the wide range of available research about the expanded Child Tax Credit. Since the introduction
CMS Rejects Georgia Medicaid-Work Requirements
On Thursday, December 23, 2021, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) formally rejected the state of Georgia’s Medicaid waiver to impose work requirements on people as a condition of Medicaid coverage. CMS had given
HHS Releases Guidance and Awards on Mobile Response Units
In April of 2021, The Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP) reported findings on the effectiveness of mobile responses – “an alternative to using law enforcement to respond to mental health and social crisis.” In December CLASP generated a
Build Back Better Pushed to 2022? CTC In Peril
At first talks between the President of the United States and a single senator last week did not result in an agreement on a reconciliation bill and, as a result, the legislation was delayed until
Debt Ceiling Deal, Reconciliation Christmas?
Last Tuesday, December 7, 2021, congressional leaders came to an agreement on how to raise the federal debt ceiling that should be adopted and finalized this week. The process is a two-step bill strategy that
CWLA Joins Effort: CMS Support for Police-Free Youth Mobile Response
The Child Welfare League of America has signed onto the letter/request by the Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP) and other organizations in urging the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to prioritize
Prevention Clearinghouse Calls for More Program/Service Recommendations
The Prevention Services Clearinghouse, created under the Family First Act, has issued a new call for additional recommendations. As noted in the announcement the call is an opportunity for the public to recommend mental health,
GAO on Student Bullying, Hate Speech, Crimes, and Victimization in Schools
Last week the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a new report: Students’ Experiences with Bullying, Hate Speech, Hate Crimes, and Victimization in Schools, indicating that about one in five students aged 12 to 18
Adoption/Kinship Incentive Payment Dropped Last Year
The Adoption and Legal Guardianship Incentives released earlier this year provided just $24 million in incentive funding for states that placed children in adoptive families or in legal subsidized guardianship during 2020. In recent