HHS Secretary Hearings Likely in mid-February
The hearing and approval process of California Attorney General Xavier Becerra for Secretary of Health and Human Services is likely to start in mid-February. The HHS Secretary-designate goes before two Senate Committees, the Finance Committee,
Wyden Reintroduces the Child Safety Act
On Thursday, February 4, 2021, Senator Ron Wyden re-introduced the Invest in Child Safety Act. The legislation, which CWLA has endorsed, was first
California’s Extended Foster Care and Youths’ Outcomes Report
On Friday, January 29, 2021, Dr. Mark Courtney, the University of Chicago professor and the Principal Investigator of the California Youth Transitions to Adulthood Study (CalYOUTH), reported an update of California’s Extended Foster Care
Senator Wyden Urges the Biden Administration to Reinstate HHS Protections that Prohibited Discrimination
Chairman Ron Wyden (D-OR) of the Finance Committee sent a letter to the Acting HHS Secretary W. Cochran urging the Biden Administration to halt the implementation of a Trump-era HHS final rule that would allow
Older Youth Pandemic Relief
Last week, several groups presented on the provisions of the Consolidated Appropriations Act that passed in December containing the bipartisan Supporting Foster Youth and Families Through the Pandemic Act (H.R. 7947).
New FAFSA Policies for Homeless and Foster Youth
On Thursday, February 4, SchoolHouse Connection, Juvenile Law Center, and John Burton Advocates for Youth hosted a webinar centered around new FAFSA policies that affect youth in the foster care system.
Why does FAFSA matter for
Decision Time Coming on COVID-19 Response Plan
As early as this week, congressional leaders may decide whether they can move President Biden’s COVID-19 relief package through a bipartisan process or whether they go the way of reconciliation. A budget reconciliation would mean
New Open Enrollment for the Affordable Care Act
February 15 to May 15, 2021
On Thursday, January 28, 2021, President Biden issued an executive order on health care that will create a new open enrollment for the Affordable Care Act. The new enrollment
Biden Issues Executive Orders on Advancing Racial Equity
On Tuesday, January 26, 2021, President Biden signed into place four Executive Orders to promote and advance racial equity and support underserved communities. Unlike the mainly individualist American mentality, Biden rebuked America as a
Prevention Services Through the Social Services Block Grant (SSBG)
The new Social Services Block Grant annual report once again documents the significance of SSBG to child welfare services. The SSBG Annual Report 2019 was
Chairman Raises Concerns Over Committee Appointment
On Thursday, January 28, 2021, Congressman Bobby Scott (D-VA), Chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, took the unusual step of criticizing a particular Republican member’s appointment to the Committee, Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene
House Committee Introduces Bipartisan Legislation on CAPTA (Again!)
On Wednesday, January 27, 2021, the House Committee on Education and Labor introduced bipartisan legislation to strengthen the prevention and treatment of child abuse. H.R. 485,
Children’s Bureau Informational on Latest COVID Relief Bill
The Children’s Bureau released the fifth Information Memorandum, ACYF-CB-IM-21-05, outlining the child welfare provisions included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021. No program instructions
Historic Inauguration Day
The 59th Presidential Inauguration for President Joe R. Biden, Jr. and Vice President Kamala D. Harris on Wednesday, January 20, 2021, will forever be a historical moment in U.S. History. Due
Biden Preserves DACA on First Day
On Wednesday, January 20, 2021, President Biden’s first day was a launch of a sweeping immigration overhaul that included directing the Homeland Security and Justice departments to preserve and fortify the Deferred Action for Childhood
National Data Shows Decline in Child Abuse and Neglect
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
Decisions to Be Made on Biden COVID-19 Relief Legislation
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
HHS Moves and Appointments
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
Several Executive Orders Offer Emergency Relief
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
COVID-19 Response Plan Outlines Key Areas of Concern for Child Welfare
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
National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month
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
Project Thrive: When Someone Comes Out: A Guide for Youth-Serving Professionals, Parents, & Caregivers
In association with Project Thrive, the Human Rights Campaign hosted a webinar on Thursday, January 21, to educate about current LGBTQ+ issues related to coming out. The host, Jean-Marie Navetta (PFLAG), reviewed terminology about coming
117th Congress Begins With Senate Lineup Set
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
Achieving Permanency for the Well-being of Children and Youth
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
The 2021 CWLA Transition Proposal
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