General

Addressing the Impacts of Parent and Caregiver Loss on Children

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) released several resources to address the impact of parent and caregiver loss on children. It is a necessary and urgent part of addressing the ongoing impact of COVID-19, which has taken so many lives in our communities, as well as the toll that overdose, suicide, violence, and other

Roadmaps to Building Child Welfare Evidence: New Release

On October 19th, 2022, the Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation (OPRE) released the Roadmaps to Building Child Welfare Evidence, developed by the Child Welfare Evidence Strengthening Team (CWEST). CWEST developed these tools to give child welfare administrators and evaluators knowledge on many elements of the evaluation process. As the Title IV-E Prevention Services Clearinghouse

Tragic Passing of Representative Jackie Walorski

CWLA mourns the loss of Congresswoman Jackie Walorski. A champion for children and families, Congresswoman Jackie Walorski was the recipient of CWLA's 2022 Congressional Advocate of the Year Award for her efforts to pass the Family First Prevention Services Act and the Family First Transition Support Act. Because of the efforts of Congresswoman Walorski, millions

It’s Not Too Late for Families to Claim the Expanded 2021 Child Tax Credit

It's not too late to help families claim the expanded Child Tax Credit (CTC), which provides up to $3,600 per child! More than 4 million kids, primarily those in households with low incomes, are at risk of missing out on the CTC. While the tax filing deadline has passed, families with no or low incomes

Voters Believe Federal Government Spending Too Little on Children: Report

In a new report released by First Focus on Children, the results of a nationwide poll conducted in May by Lake Research Partners showed that American voters believe, by roughly a 6-to-1 margin, that the federal government is spending too little on the health, safety, and well-being of children in this country. Additionally, by a

Representative Walorski and Former First Lady Melania Trump on Foster Care Month

On May 4th, in an op-ed for Fox News, Representative Jackie Walorski (R-IN) and former First Lady Melania Trump highlighted National Foster Care Month, calling on Americans to support families and give older youth in foster care the tools they need to thrive as they transition to independence. They noted legislation that increased support for

State-level Child Welfare Data Updated

Child Trends released its newly updated state by state data on Child Welfare in the United States. Now including 2020 data, this comprehensive resource offers state- and national-level data on child maltreatment, foster care, kinship care, and adoption through interactive features. Highlights from the national data indicates that the number of reports of maltreatment decreased

Finance Committee Considers ACF, ACYF Leads, Emphasis on Families First

On Wednesday, February 9, 2022, the Senate Finance Committee considered the nominations to fill two critical positions at the Department of Health and Humans Services: the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) and the Administration on Children Youth and Families (ACYF).  Rebecca Jones-Gaston was nominated by President Biden for the ACYF position on November 18,

HELP Committee Focuses on Health Care Workforce

On Thursday February 10, 2022, the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) held a subcommittee hearing on Recruiting, Revitalizing, and Diversifying: Examining the Health Care Workforce Shortage. Witnesses were: Dr. Margaret Flinter, Senior Vice President and Clinical Director, Community Health Center, Inc., Middletown, CT who focused on the loss of primary

Appropriation Update

Discussions continued between key appropriations leaders, Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Senator Richard Shelby (R-AL), Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) and Congresswoman Kay Granger (R-TX).  Not much has been revealed but Chairperson DeLauro offered some broad positive comments about progress.  Like the reconciliation, Democratic leaders including the White House would like a final deal by March 1.

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