Protecting Youth & Families

Giving Children a Voice: Legal Representation Webinar

In the webinar entitled, Giving Children a Voice, there was a discussion regarding the benefits of client directed council among the panelists. Two of the panelists were Allison Green and Natalece Washington from the National Association of Counsel for Children. The other three were, J. Kendall Seal, Tom Jose, and Tim Keller representing the Center

CWLA Endorses: Alternative Pathways for Child Abuse Prevention Act

Introduced by Senator Lujan (D-NM) on February 7, 2024, the Alternative Pathways to Child Abuse Prevention Act would require states to submit an alternative response plan to receive federal grant funding under the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA). This bill would authorize $500 million for CAPTA Title I state formula grants and $1

House Judiciary Hearing on Immigration and Social Services

The House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement held a hearing on Thursday, January 11, 2024, entitled, "The Impact of Illegal Immigration on Social Services." Witnessed included: Manuel Mello III, Fire Department Chief of Eagle Pass, Texas; Danyela Souza Egorov, Vice President of the Community Education Council for New York City School District

Senate Judiciary Subcommittee Continues Foster Care Hearings

On Thursday, December 14, 2023, the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Human Rights and the Law held it’s fourth hearing on foster care as part of the bipartisan inquiry into Georgia’s child welfare system. Subcommittee Chairman Jon Ossoff (D-GA) opened the hearing by reminding those in the room that “we are talking about the most vulnerable

Child Welfare Bills Move Forward

On November 30, 2023, the House Ways and Means Committee held a markup to examine HR 2426 the “Find and Protect Foster Youth Act” and HR 3058 “Recruiting Families Using Data Act of 2023.” Both bills are bipartisan and bicameral, and both were passed out of committee and will proceed to the full House of

CWLA Comments: Human Rights of Foster Children Hearing

On November 15, 2023, CWLA submitted comments for the record regarding the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee hearing on “The Human Rights of Foster Children.” From the testimony: “The National Blueprint states that children have rights to survival, protection, and participation in decision-making regarding their care. Several of the rights championed by CWLA are relevant to the

Decriminalize Being in Foster Care: Policy Recommendations

The Foster Care Youth & Alumni Policy Council held a webinar on November 20, 2023, to discuss their recommendations for decriminalizing the foster care system and preventing foster youth from entering the juvenile justice system. The panelists shared stories of three African American youth who were killed by law enforcement while in the foster care

Senate Judiciary Subcommittee Holds Two Foster Care Hearings

On October 30, 2023, the Senate Subcommittee on Human Rights and the Law held a field hearing in Georgia entitled, “Foster Children in the Courts.” This hearing was the second one to be held in response to reports in February that children in the care of Georgia’s Division of Family & Children Services (DFCS) have

Senate Judiciary Subcommittee Holds Investigative Hearing on Foster Care

On October 25, 2023, the Senate Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Human Rights and the Law held a hearing entitled, “the Human Rights of Foster Children.” In February, following reports that children in the care of Georgia’s Division of Family & Children Services (DFCS) have been subjected to abuse and neglect, Subcommittee Chairman Jon Ossoff (D-GA)

CWLA Comments on Child Welfare Hearing

On October 12, 2023, CWLA submitted comments for the record on the Ways and Means Subcommittee hearing on, “Modernizing Child Welfare to Protect Vulnerable Children.” Our comments explained the history and background of the programs in Title IV-B of the Social Security Act and highlighted a number of key areas of focus for a potential

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