Healthy Growth & Development

Learn, Listen, Lead: The Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth

On February 1, 2023, the Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth (CCFY) co-hosted with the National Foster Youth Institute (NFYI), Youth Villages, and iFoster a “Learn, Listen, Lead” event at the U.S. Capital. The program included introductions and remarks from caucus chairs and a panel discussion on priorities and legislative agendas for the 118th Congress. Representative

Better Support for Young Adults Transitioning out of Foster Care

The Urban Institute released “Four Ways to Better Support Young Adults Transitioning out of Foster Care” on January 26, 2023. The article examines the intent and outcomes of the John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood, known as Chafee, which was signed into law in 1999 and provides support to assist

Bill Providing Medicaid Coverage for Youth Formerly in Foster Care Takes Effect

The Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities Act (or SUPPORT Act), passed in 2018, included a provision titled “Coverage Continuity for Former Foster Care Children Up to Age 26,” on page 10, which took effect on January 1st, 2023. This important provision requires states to cover youth under

Changes to WIC Offerings: Comment Opportunity

USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) announced proposed changes to the foods available to participants in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) to align the food packages with the latest nutrition science and support equitable access to nutritious foods during critical life stages. “Taken collectively, the changes will increase the

Social Determinants of Health for Infants and Toddlers

ZERO TO THREE released a new report in partnership with Child Trends that uses State of Babies Yearbook data to cast light on the specific Social Determinants of Health for babies and their families. The report shows that while many young children are thriving, Black, Hispanic, and American Indian/Alaska Native babies and those in families

CWLA Webinar: SOAR Program Assists Children with Benefits Applications

CWLA hosted a seminar featuring the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA) sponsored SOAR for Children Program on Thursday, October 13th. The aim of the SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access and Recovery (SOAR) program is to streamline and speed up SSI/SSDI applications to assist those in need of the funds. The program certifies direct practitioners

Senate Companion for Foster Youth and Driving Act Introduced

On October 3rd, Senators Hassan (D-NH), and Young (R-IN) introduced the bipartisan Senate companion bill to the Foster Youth and Driving Act, originally introduced in the House by Representative Danny K. Davis (D-IL) and Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE). The Senate companion bill makes no changes to the House bill. As previously covered, H.R. 7932 Foster

White House Sets High Bar for Hunger and Nutrition Policy

The Biden Administration hosted the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition and Health on Wednesday, September 28th, 2022. This was the first White House Conference on these topics in more than 50 years, since the Nixon Administration, and it covered a broad range of topics in its plenary and breakout sessions, which are available on

Ways and Means Marks Up Home Visiting Reauthorization Bill

On Wednesday, September 21st, 2022 the Ways and Means Committee marked up the Jackie Walorski Maternal and Child Home Visiting Act of 2022, which CWLA has endorsed. With family members of the late Congresswoman Walorski in attendance, members of the committee shared their memories of her and condolences for her loss. She was remembered fondly

Home Visiting Reauthorization Regains Momentum

For the past few weeks, advocates for home visiting programs have been working with the House Ways and Means Committee staff to make progress on reauthorizing the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) Program, which expires on September 30th, 2022. On Wednesday, September 14th, the Ways and Means Committee indicated that they had

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