More than 500 organizations have signed a letter to Congress requesting that residential facilities that meet the new Family First Act “Qualified Residential Treatment Program” (QRTP) standards be exempt from being classified by Medicaid (CMS) as an Institution for Mental Diseases or “IMD.” The letter in part states: “(The Family First Prevention Services Act) FFPSA
The Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute’s (CCAI) eleven interns presented an experience and research-informed policy recommendation report in a Congressional Briefing entitled Building the Path Forward for Change in the Child Welfare System. The Foster Youth Interns (FYIs) shared their recommendations on a wide range of important topics, including maintaining sibling connections, racial equity, services for indigenous youth,
The JAMA Network new research study, Characteristics and Precipitating Circumstances of Suicide Among Children Aged 5 to 11 Years in the United States, 2013-2017, examined the National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS), revealing that suicide is the eighth leading cause of death among children aged 5 to 11 years. Childhood suicide risk factors included mental health, prior
The Child Tax Credit (CTC) is now available to the families, offering up to $3,600 per child under 6 years old and $3,000 per child between 6 and 17 years old from the IRS. The credit is not a loan! Since the American Rescue Plan increased the amount of the tax credit for children and
The House of Representatives moved on two significant bills last week that included funding for 9 of the 12 appropriations bills. The first “minibus” appropriations rolled together seven bills, including the appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services and Education (Labor-HHS), Agriculture, Energy and Water, Financial Services, Interior, Military Construction, and Transportation-Housing are rolled
The House is scheduled to take up a “minibus” appropriations for full debate and vote on the House floor. Called a minibus instead of an omnibus, the appropriations legislation rolls together seven bills, including the appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education (Labor-HHS). There are twelve appropriations bills, and the combining of
CWLA believes 2021 is the year to deliver citizenship for Dreamers, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders, farm workers and essential workers and their families who stepped up to support our country throughout the pandemic while contributing to our economy. The latest federal ruling in Texas against Dreamers underscores the urgency to deliver a path to
The Administration is seeking feedback on potential improvements to the Family First Prevention Services Clearinghouse handbook. The request for comments was posted on July 15, 2021, on the Federal Register. The deadline for comments is August 16, 2021. The Handbook of Standards and Procedures outlines the process and procedure for review by the Administration for Children and Families (ACF)
The National Health Collaborative on Violence and Abuse, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and Futures Without Violence, held its annual Capitol Hill briefing on Maternal Mortality and Intimate Partner Violence on Thursday, July 22, 2021. The briefing featured a diverse array of speakers from medical, advocacy, and research backgrounds and messages from Congresswoman Gwen Moore (D-WI) and
Human Rights for Kids hosted a conversation entitled Treat Kids Like Kids: Why Congress Must Prioritize Criminal Justice Reform for Children. The event featured both professionals and individuals with lived experience. They highlighted a series of important bills currently being proposed in the House of Representatives that aim to remedy many of the harms impacting youth involved in
