Agriculture Bill Being Negotiated
A House-Senate Conference Agriculture Committee was meeting last week to negotiate differences between the two Agriculture reauthorization bills. Agriculture bills today focus mainly on nutrition programs as well as farm support programs. The House bill
The Intersection Between Medicaid and Child Welfare
Shaquita Ogletree
On Thursday, September 6, 2018, the Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth along with First Focus hosted a congressional briefing on the Intersection of Medicaid and Child Welfare. The briefing discussed the importance of Medicaid
Senate Adopts Defense-Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations
On Thursday, August 23, the Senate passed H.R. 6157 an $857 billion appropriations package that combines the Defense Department appropriations with the Labor-HHS-Education appropriations. The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 85 to
Help With Loan Forgiveness and Social Workers
Congressman Danny Davis (D-IL) is promoting one-time funding that can assist social workers seeking education loan forgiveness. The temporary funding acts as a patch for some who qualify for loan forgiveness under a ten-year plan
Administration Delays AFCARS Data Update
The Administration has announced one of their decisions regarding an update of the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS) with an August 21, 2018 Federal Register announcement. They will delay an
Senate Committee Hears From ACYF Nominee Approves ACF
On August 28, the Senate approved the nomination of Lynn Johnson to become the new Assistant Secretary for the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) or as the Administration refers to it as, the Office
ACA Update: Insurance Coverage Steady, Maine, Other Attempt Expansion
Last week the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released new data that show health insurance coverage holding steady with Medicaid expansion states doing better than states holding out from expansion. The national uninsured
Senate Returns for Brief Period, Possible HHS Budget Debate
The Senate will return this week on August 15. There will be additional judicial votes but it is expected that they will then turn to appropriations shortly after those actions. The Senate hopes to debate
Administration Must Still Reunify, DACA Maybe Back On & Immigration
According to numbers released last Thursday evening, of the approximate 2551 children and youth eligible for reunification, HHS had identified 386 children with parents who have been removed and in another country. HHS indicated that
Hearing Collects Questions and Some Answers on FFA
On Tuesday, July 24, the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Human Resources held an oversight hearing on the implementation of the Family First Prevention Services Act (FFA).
Based on the testimony and answers by
Wyden Letter Opposing House Aderholt Amendment Enough Names to Block
On Thursday, July 25, Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) released a Senate “Dear Colleague” letter opposing the House Appropriations Aderholt Amendment. The letter was signed by 40 senators. There are some members who did not sign
Housing Voucher for Youth Aging Out Passes Committee
On Tuesday July 24, the House Committee on Financial Services passed H.R. 2069 the Fostering Stable Housing Opportunities Act of 2017 by a vote of 34-23.
The legislation has been involved in some controversy over
Administration Reunifies 1800 Families 700 Children Remain
According to numbers released last Friday, of the 2551 children and youth ages five through 17 originally counted as eligible for reunification, 1442 children have been reunified with parents while 378 were placed with guardians
Appropriations Updates
The House has departed for the rest of the summer and will return the day after Labor Day. The Senate continues to work, including votes on appropriations at least through this week. To this point
ACA Update
The Administration last week indicated that they are continuing to consider new work requirement waivers for Medicaid. This comes despite a recent court ruling that struck down a waiver for Kentucky for their work requirements.
CWLA Submits Comments on Family First Services
CWLA submitted its recommendations and comments in response to the HHS request for comments on how to approach the issue of defining and listing services and programs that will qualify under the Family
CWLA Opposes Aderholt Amendment, Read How You Can Act:
Groups were coming together last week to oppose the Aderholt Amendment. The amendment was offered by Congressman Robert Aderholt (R-AL) as part of the House Labor-HHS-Education appropriations bill when it was debated in House Appropriations
Foster Youth Interns (FYI) Offer Capitol Hill Their Recommendations
On Tuesday, July 17, the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute hosted their annual Foster Youth Intern (FYI) legislative forum.
The annual invent invites in a number of young people who have been in foster care and
Administration Struggles Toward Family Reunification with 2500 More
According to numbers released last Friday, of the 2551 children and youth ages five through 17 originally counted as eligible for reunification, 450 have been reunited. Another 954 had been interviewed and are ready for
Appropriations and Other Legislative Updates
As we begin the last full week in July the House of Representatives will be wrapping up this week and won’t return until after Labor Day. The Senate faces continued action at least for the
HHS Guidance on Family First Act
On Monday, July 9 the Administration for Children and Families released their first guidance on the Family First Prevention Services Act. The program instruction (PI), ACYF-CB-PI-18-07, was released along with the
• Children’s Bureau
HHS Releases First Guidance on Family First Act
On Monday, July 9 the Administration for Children and Families released their first guidance on the Family First Prevention Services Act. The program instruction (PI), ACYF-CB-PI-18-07 does not deal with the services component of
House Labor-HHS Approps: Religious Discrimination/LGBTQ Amendment
Last Thursday, when the House Appropriations Committee acted on their Labor-HHS-Education bill, Committee Republicans included an amendment that could promote discrimination in the placement and recruitment of children and parents based on gender and sexual
Administration Struggles Toward Family Reunification with 2500 More
As of this past weekend, it was unclear how many of the approximate 100 children under the age of five that had been reunited with parents. By last Tuesday’s deadline HHS was saying they had
House Appropriations Committee: Labor-HHS Bill Passes Plus Poison Pills
On Thursday, July 12 the House Appropriations Committee passed their Labor-Health and Human Services and Education bill after two previous delays. Most of the votes cast were along party line with a great deal of