On January 17, 2024, the House Ways and Means Subcommittee hosted a hearing, “Pathways to Independence: Supporting Youth Aging Out of Foster Care.” CWLA submitted comments for the record. “Nearly 20,000 young people transition from foster care to independence without the benefit of formal reunification or an alternative permanency outcome each year. We share the
The Youth Law Center (YLC), the Institute for the Future (IFTF), and the California Youth Connection (CLC) hosted a webinar on Wednesday, January 31st to release a report they published titled “On the Threshold of Change: Forces that Could Transform Future Conditions for Youth in Extended Foster Care.” This report contains strategic foresight to better
The Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families (ACF) partnered with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to hold a webinar detailing the Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) program and how it can be utilized to benefit eligible youth experiencing or at-risk of experiencing homelessness. Kimberly Waller, Associate Commissioner
Between November 13 and December 4, 2023, there were six Notices of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRMs) deadlines that were directly related to child welfare. CWLA submitted comments in support of four of the six proposed rules: Discrimination on the Basis of Disability in Health and Human Service Programs or Activities Safe and Appropriate Placements Requires for
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
On October 25, 2023, the Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing entitled, “Ensuring the Well-Being of Unaccompanied Children, Pt. II,” to examine the efforts of federal agencies to protect migrant children from labor exploitation, human trafficking, and abuse and neglect in foster care. Chairman of the Committee, Senator Dick Durbin [D-IL], delivered the opening statement
The Children’s Bureau hosted a webinar on Thursday, October 19th entitled “Proving Extended Foster Care Works for Young Adults”. Presenters Angie Schwartz, the Deputy Director for the California Department of Social Services and Mark E. Courtney, a CalYOUTH researcher, Co-Director of the Transition Age Youth Research and Evaluation Hub, and Professor emeritus at UC Berkeley’s
On Thursday, September 28, 2023, the Biden-Harris Administration announced new actions to support children and families in foster care. These actions include releasing three regulations to strengthen services and supports for children and families in the child welfare system. Final Rule: Support kinship caregivers – family members and loved ones who step forward to care
The National Foster Care Youth & Alumni Policy Council and the Center on Immigration and Child Welfare (CICW) hosted a webinar, “Supporting Immigrant Youth & Children in Foster Care: Priorities from Lived Experience Leaders and Best Practices to Support.” The team developed priorities based on a survey they conducted with immigrant foster youth and people
On September 14th, 2023, The House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee, Global Health, Global Human Rights and International Organizations held a hearing to assess the measures in place that protect vulnerable populations from human trafficking and to understand actions that should be taken by Congress to end human trafficking and the exploitation of children worldwide. Chairman of
