Less Than 2 in 5 Children Now Covered by Federal Foster Care Funding
In the federal fiscal year 2020, only 39 percent of children in foster care were covered by federal Title IV-E foster care funding. For the first time, the percentage of children not eligible for Title IV-E foster
Supreme Court Uphold Catholic Charities Side in Philadelphia Case
In a complex unanimous decision in the Philadelphia V Fulton case, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld Catholic Charities’ ability to continue to receive funding through the City of Philadelphia for child welfare services. The opinion that
7-2 Supreme Court Vote Rejects State Challenge to the Affordable Care Act
On Thursday, June 17, 2021, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected a challenge in California v. Texas, led by the state of Texas, to the constitutionality
Sequestration Budget Cuts Continue for Some Programs: SSBG, Home Visiting, PSSF
The Social Services Block Grant (SSBG), Promoting Safe and Stable Families (PSSF), and the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) programs will all be reduced by 5.7 percent this coming year due to
Budget and Reconciliation Likely to Reach Into Holiday Season
Last week the House Budget Committee moved on a budget or “deeming” resolution that will allow the House to proceed on their twelve appropriations bills. It is not a joint budget resolution that would require
New Report* Untold Stories: Young Adult & Racial Dimensions of COVID-19
Last week, Chapin Hall and Howard University released a new study, Untold Stories: Young adult & racial dimensions of COVID-19. The report examines previously untold stories of the pandemic among young people, focusing particularly
Full Budget This Week, Appropriation on Tap For Summer
The Biden Administration will release its first full budget on Thursday, May 27, 2021. The release of the budget fills in the blanks from the broad overview the Administration released on April 9. That
CWLA Submits Testimony On Key Issues For House Committee
On May 12, 2021, the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Worker and Family Support held a hearing on “Making a Difference for Families and Foster Youth.” The hearing was intended as a review of potential
Education Challenges for Children in Foster Care, Homeless Examined
On Wednesday, May 19, 2021, the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education of the House Education and Labor Committee held a hearing, “Picking up the Pieces: Strengthening Connections with Students Experiencing Homelessness and
Parental Ed Concerns for Children With Learning Disabilities Post-Pandemic
The nonprofit, Understood, that focuses on programs for families, educators, and young adults to better address learning and workplace disabilities released a survey last week that indicates that in the remote learning environment, nearly
What CWLA Said About Education and Foster Care
In submitting our testimony to the House Subcommittee on Family and Worker Support this is what we said about education issues:
As we emerge from the pandemic, assessments will need to be made of the current
Treasury Prepares for July 15 Start of Child Tax Credit (CTC)
On Monday, May 17, 2021, the US Department of Treasury (along with the Internal Revenue Service/IRS) announced that the first installment of the expanded CTC would start on July 15, 2021. Treasury also announced that
HELP Committee Shows Partisan Divide on Family and Medical Leave
On Tuesday, May 18, 2021, the Senate HELP Committee focused on proposals for expanded Family and Medical Leave and comments and statements by members showed a divide between Committee Democrats and Republicans. Committee Chair, Senator
House Subcommittee Focus on Child Welfare During National Foster Care Month
The Ways and Means Subcommittee on Worker and Family Support held a hearing on “Making a Difference for Families and Foster Youth.” The hearing was intended as a review of potential
What Are the IV-B Programs?
There are two child welfare programs created under Title IV-B of the Social Security Act. Despite the call for flexible funding through child welfare, these two programs have been around for decades and provide very
Washington Waits on Negotiations
This past week President Biden met with Republican and Democratic leaders to discuss how to move forward on an infrastructure bill.
The negotiations are vital because, over the remaining weeks of May, such discussions will determine
Andrea Palm Becomes Deputy Health Secretary, CMS Maybe This Week
On Tuesday, May 11, 2021, the full Senate approved Andrea Palm as the Deputy Health Secretary in the Department of Health and Human Services by a vote of 61 to 37. A significant vote considering
Treasury Releases State and Local Relief Funds
On Monday, May 10, 2021, the U.S. Department of Treasury released details and funding on the state and local government fiscal relief that was included in
Let’s get more communities and families digitally connected
Reliable and affordable access to the internet is essential for everything from scheduling health care appointments to ensuring students have the necessary tools for remote learning. Unfortunately, people in the United States pay some of
Join Us for CWLA’s 2021 Virtual Hill Day
There are three key points for CWLA members this week: Make the Child Tax Credit Permanent which would make the CTC fully refundable, even for low-income
CWLA Hot Topic: Child Tax Credit is a Child Welfare Issue, Here’s Why
Before President Biden’s signed the American Rescue Plan, 27 million children did not receive the child tax credit as a result of low parental income. During the pandemic, child poverty reached
CWLA Hot Topic: Save Child Care
The COVID-19 pandemic just exacerbated the child care industry, which is vital for working parents. The child care industry has historically been underfunded and outrageously expensive for most American families and making access to quality
Commissioner Aysha Schomburg Opens CWLA’s 2021 Virtual Conference
Aysha Schomburg, Associate Commissioner for the Children’s Bureau, helped to open CWLA’s successful 2021 virtual conference on Tuesday, May 4, 2021. In her opening remarks to CWLA attendees, she discussed her experiences over the past
DO YOU HAVE CHILDREN? File Your Taxes NOW to claim your Child Tax Credit and receive monthly checks starting in July
To help families cover their children’s basic needs, Congress expanded the Child Tax Credit for 2021. The IRS will be sending out monthly checks to families with children, starting in July. Families can receive up