KatiM

About Kati Mapa

Kati Mapa is CWLA's Director of Public Policy.

Fostering Youth Transitions 2023

The Annie E. Casey Foundation released a new data brief, “Fostering Youth Transitions 2023: State and National Data to Drive Foster Care Advocacy,” on May 8, 2023. The brief examines the experiences of teenagers and young adults in foster care as reported by all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. The brief

Bipartisan Demand for Investments in Youngest Children

ZERO TO THREE and Morning Consult released new poll findings showing that the vast majority of parents of infants and toddlers believe that addressing the needs of children and families in the upcoming 2024 federal budget should be a priority. Key poll findings include: Nearly 9 in 10 of parents with infants and toddlers believe

Debt Limit Debate Continues

Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen announced on May 1 that the nation could hit its existing debt ceiling as soon as June 1, 2023, mere weeks away and sooner than had previously been expected. The Treasury is currently using "extraordinary measures" to continue paying the country's debt. Following this announcement, President Biden invited Congressional

Immigration Bill Moving Forward

The House is planning to vote on their signature immigration package, the Secure the Border Act of 2023, this week. House Republicans have made immigration a focus issue this Congress and have held hearings about border security in multiple committees. This bill has had two separate markups in the House Homeland Security and House Judiciary

Welfare Programs Reduce Disparities in Child Brain Development: Study

A new study from researchers at Harvard and Washington University in St. Louis and supported by the National Institutes of Health (NI), suggest that well-funded anti-poverty measures can improve both brain development and mental health in children. Past research has shown that childhood poverty has a negative long-term impact along various outcome measures, like lower

House Passes Debt Ceiling Bill

On Wednesday, April 26th, 2023, House Republicans passed their budget and debt limit bill along party lines. As noted last week, the legislation would raise the debt ceiling into next year in exchange for freezing spending at last year’s levels for a decade — a nearly 14 percent cut — as well as rolling back

Child Care for Working Families Act

Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and Representative Bobby Scott (D-VA) reintroduced the Child Care for Working Families Act (CCWFA) on April 27th. Introduced every Congress since 2017, the legislation would address the ongoing crisis in child care by making it affordable for families and addressing the child care shortages that have, in many cases, made it

Bipartisan Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act Introduced

On April 27, 2023, Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Senator John Cornyn (R-TX), Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), Representative Ro Khanna (D-CA) and Representative Earl “Buddy” Carter (R-GA) introduced the bipartisan Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act. According to Representative Khanna’s press release, “this bipartisan, bicameral bill would provide greater oversight and data transparency for institutional youth treatment

Congressman Davis Presents Extension of Remarks for CWLA CEO Christine James-Brown

On April 20th, 2023, Congressman Danny K. Davis (D-IL) offered an Extension of Remarks recognizing Christine James-Brown, President and CEO of CWLA, honoring her upcoming retirement from the organization. From the remarks: "Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the exceptional service of Christine James-Brown, the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Child Welfare

May is National Foster Care Month

The Children's Bureau's National Foster Care Month campaign recognizes the important role that members from all parts of child welfare play in supporting children, youth, and families. This year’s theme, “Strengthening Minds. Uplifting Families.” highlights the need to take a holistic and culturally responsive approach to supporting the mental health needs of those involved with

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