Drug Overdose Death Skyrocket in Pandemic
Last month the Centers on Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released data that indicates that drug overdoses in this country reached an all-time high of 90,000
Join Us: CWLA 2021 Virtual Hill Day
Following CWLA’s 2021 Virtual Conference this week, will be our Virtual Hill Day on Wednesday, May 12th, in which we are asking CWLA members and Conference registrants to go to Capitol
President Outlines His American Family Plan
On Wednesday, April 28, 2021, President Joe Biden used his first speech to a joint session of Congress to outline his “American Family Plan.” The plan is designed to complement or
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
Ways and Means Committee Chair Introduces Package of Family Supports
A day before President Biden’s speech to a joint session of Congressman Richard Neal (D-MA), Chair of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee announced the release of the Building an Economy for Families Act (
Bipartisan Immigration Bill Introduced
On Thursday, April 22, 2021, a bipartisan cross-section of the Senate and House members announced legislation to address immigration, specifically unaccompanied minors crossing the US-Mexico border.
The key sponsors (S 1358-Border Solutions Act) include Senator John
HELP Committee Reviews Child Care Needs in the U.S.
On Tuesday, April 27, 2021, the Senate HELP Committee conducted a hearing, Supporting Children, Workers, and Families by Strengthening America’s Child Care. Witnesses included
Pandemic Findings on Youth Who Have Been in Foster Care or Homeless
On Wednesday, April 28, 2021, John Burton Advocates for Youth (JBAY)presented their report, Holding on by a Thread: The Cumulative Impact of the Pandemic on Youth Who Have Been in Foster Care or Homeless. JBAY
Supreme Court Won’t Hear Texas On California Travel Ban Over LGBTQ
On Monday, April 26, 2021, the U.S. Supreme Court refused to consider Texas’ challenge to California’s ban on California-funded business trips to other states deemed to discriminate against LGBTQ people. The ban does not apply
Supreme Court Won’t Hear Texas On Public Charge Rule
On Monday, April 26, 2021, the U.S. Supreme Court refused to consider Texas’ effort to reinstate a Trump-written rule on immigration and the definitions of public charge. Under longstanding immigration law, a public charge is
National Foster Care Youth & Alumni Policy Council Identifies Council Priorities and Urges Implementation of Older Youth Pandemic Relief
On Thursday, April 29, 2021, the National Foster Care Youth & Alumni Policy Council held a webinar to discuss opportunities and priorities available under the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021.
A partnership between Foster Care Alumni
President to Address Congress on American Families Plan
On Wednesday, April 28, 2021, President Biden will address a joint session of Congress. He is expected to tie much of that address not only to his recent proposal on infrastructure
CWLA 2021 Legislative Agenda & Hot Topics
Following CWLA’s 2021 Virtual Conference will be Virtual Hill Day on Wednesday, May 12th, in which we are asking CWLA members and Conference registrants to go to Capitol Hill to virtual
Special “Open Mic” Call: Virtual Hill Day 2021
We hope you are planning to join your CWLA member colleagues for our 2021 Virtual Conference, Lessons Learned from 2020: Reaching New Heights for Children and Families, taking place from May 4-6, 2021. We have added
Nutrition Program Expansions Extended
Pandemic-related expansions of some nutrition programs were extended through an announcement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture on Tuesday, April 20, 2021. The
CWLA backs Reintroduction of Child Care for Working Families Act
On Thursday, April 22, 2021, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee and Congressman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), Chair of the House Education and Labor Committee,
House Ways and Means Hears Testimony from Mothers on Paid Leave and Child Care
On Wednesday, April 21, 2021, the House Ways and Means Committee held a hearing entitled ‘In Their Own Words: Paid Leave, Child Care, And An Economy That Failed Women.’ The hearing showcased stories of struggles
Cornyn Block CMS Nomination
Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas) is holding up Senate confirmation of President Biden’s nominee to head up the Centers on Medicare and Medicaid (CMS), Chiquita Brooks-LaSure. Senator Cornyn’s action comes in response to the Administration’s withdrawal
State of Babies Yearbook 2021 Baby Summit
On Thursday, April 22, 2021, Zero to Three held the State of Babies Summit to release the State of Babies Yearbook: 2021, which shows that even before the economic and social fallout of COVID-19, the
Stimulus Check Outreach & CTC Preparation for Hard-to-reach Populations
Last year, CWLA joined hundreds of organizations to engage in the vitally important and difficult task of helping households who don’t usually file a tax return get their stimulus checks. According
The New Deal to End Youth Homelessness: Child & Well Being Justice
A Way Home America is a national initiative to build the movement to prevent and end homelessness among young people. The New Deal to End Youth Homelessness is a federal policy proposal that offers a
The IRS is on Track with July 1st Implementation of Monthly CTC Payments
On Tuesday, April 13, 2021, the U.S. Senate Finance Committee hearing, the 2021 Filing Season and 21st Century IRS called IRS Commissioner Charles Rettig to testify on the 2021 tax filing season. His comments included positive
Administration Releases Child Care Funding From March Rescue Plan
On Thursday, April 15, 2021, the Biden Administration announced the release of $39 billion in child care funding resulting from the March passage of the American Rescue Plan. The allocations for the
New Study Examines Child Care Services on Family Income
Last week two organizations released a new study, “A Lifetimes Worth of Benefits,” a report that details the effects of quality child care on family income, the gender gap, and women’s retirement security. The