Strengthening Families with Infants and Toddlers: A Policy Framework for States, is a new report from ZERO TO THREE designed to reframe the role of child welfare from preventing harm to children toward strengthening families and the communities where they live. The policy framework includes 11 recommendations for states and communities that aim to advance
On Thursday, June 30th the House Appropriations Committee held a markup on the Labor-HHS FY2023 Appropriations bill, the budget bill that covers the Administration of Children and Families. The bill passed with a 32-24 vote, moving forward without any Republican support, due in part to the removal of the Hyde Amendment, which prohibits federal dollars
On Tuesday, June 28th, 2022, the Children’s Bureau’s Learning & Coordination Center hosted, “Laying the Groundwork: Paid Family Leave as a Prevention and Promotion Strategy.” During this Digital Dialogue session, Laura Weeldreyer, Executive Director of the Maryland Family Network, discussed how policies that provide universal concrete and economic supports to families have a powerful impact
As covered in previous Children’s Monitor articles, the families and children of the United States are suffering from the national baby formula shortage. Infant Formula is crucial to the growth and development of infants. Likewise, people with disabilities and/or chronic illnesses rely on formula for their health and survival. This crisis disproportionately affects those most
The Center on Poverty and Social Policy released its newest monthly report on child poverty, finding that monthly poverty rates rose in April and May 2022, following the temporary decrease in March when most refundable tax credits were delivered to families who filed a federal tax return. In April, the monthly child poverty rate for
Of the more than 5,000 children who, court documents say, were separated from their parents under the previous administration's zero-tolerance policy for unauthorized border crossers and those who presented themselves legally at ports of entry, about 180 children have yet to be reunited with their parents, according to VOA News, though the ACLU believes the
On June 22, 2022, Representative Judy Chu (D-CA) introduced the Access to Foster Care to 21 Act, which would extend nationally the age of which a youth is eligible to remain in foster care to 21. This bill would provide financial assistance to states by de-linking youth ages 18-21 from the antiquated Aid to Families
On June 22, 2022, HuffPost published an article detailing the need for attention to the child care crisis happening in our country. Detailing the history of the movement to federally fund child care as well as the opportunities and barriers that exist today, the article makes a compelling case for additional advocacy on this issue.
On Thursday, June 23rd the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Subcommittee held a markup on their FY2023 Appropriations bill, which includes a 13% increase over FY2022 spending levels. Despite emphasizing a commitment to bipartisan collaboration, the bill moved forward without any Republican support, due in part to the removement of prohibitions
On Saturday, June 25th, 2022, President Biden signed the bipartisan gun safety package into law, the first major gun violence legislation passed in decades. The bill, titled the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, was released by Republican Sens. John Cornyn (R-TX) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Democratic Sens. Chris Murphy (D-CT) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ). Fifteen
