Protecting Youth & Families

Domestic Violence and Impact on Health and Well Being

On Tuesday May 2, there was a Capitol Hill briefing, Public Health Crisis: Solutions to Violence and Abuse focused on the impact of domestic violence over a lifetime. The briefing was cohosted by the National Health Collaborative on Violence and Abuse and Futures Without Violence. Speakers included representatives from the Centers on Disease Control and

Administration Pushes House on ACA Repeal Vote

The House of Representatives is once again attempting another effort to repeal the ACA. The effort is a result of the White House push to try and get a vote before the President had reached the informal judgement date of 100 days in office. The vote could still take place this week if Speaker Paul

The Count on Health Care Bill

Last Friday morning the Capitol Hill publication, the Hill, released an unofficial count of key members of the Republican caucus and their stance on the modified ACA-repeal bill.  In that report, they had already reported 21 members opposed, which if true would be enough to sink the measure.  They also indicated that 56 were undecided

The 5th National GrandRally

The 5th National GrandRally is coming in a few days and registration is still open! The GrandRally for grandparents and other relatives raising children will be on May 10, 2017 on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. It is an opportunity to elevate for Members of Congress and the public the critical

Congress Back To Face Hot Issues on Many Fronts

Congress returns this week in what is likely to be a challenging next four to five weeks. Congress will have to deal with funding for the current fiscal year, deal with a new full budget which covers the 2018 appropriations, and potentially wrestle with a new push by the Trump Administration on a repeal of

Sign On Letter Supports CHIP Reauthorization

A new letter, which CWLA has signed onto, is urging Congress to act on a Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) reauthorization soon.  The letter, circulated by First Focus and the Children’s Defense Fund, is open to national, state and local groups can be read here and signed onto here. Funding for CHIP is set to

Financial Literacy and Youth in Foster Care

Last week the Senate Caucus on Foster Youth held a panel presentation and discussion on, Financial Literacy and Consumer Credit Issues facing Transition-Age Youth. Participants included: Carol Behrer, Executive Director of the Youth Policy Institute of Iowa (YPII) a state organization focused on improving youth policy and practice, particularly as it relates to system-involved and

Congress May Take Another Go At JJDPA

Just before the spring recess committees in both houses took a go at moving a reauthorization of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Protection Act (JJDPA). The last time the JJDPA was reauthorized was in 2002 with the current programs operating without an authorization since 2007.   In July 2016, the Senate Judiciary Committee had taken the

CWLA Members Charged Up By Congressman Kennedy

On Wednesday, March 29, CWLA members gathered in Washington for the annual CWLA National Conference.  After the morning policy seminar members were charged up by Congressman Joseph Kennedy III (D-MA). The Congressman has become an outspoken champion of protecting the ACA in particular the expanded access to mental health and substance use treatment. In his

Next Steps on ACA Could Give Life or Not

With some Congressional Republicans suggesting that a repeal of the ACA is still front and center it will not likely happen when the Congress returns after the spring break. With the CR funding due for resolution within days of reconvening, a full FY 2018 budget release in Mid-May, and a desire to do a tax

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