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Labor-HHS Subcommittee Reviews Opioids

Download CWLA Advocacy App to Your Phone and Advocate on Your Own Time! Search for "voterVOICE" (one word) in your App store, or use one of these links: Google Play or iTunes After you download the App, you will be prompted to enter your email. A verification code will be sent to your email. After

CWLA Statement on Tax Legislation

The Senate and House have now approved similar tax bills. There are several provisions within this legislation that could have a major impact on children and families. CWLA is most concerned about the following: The Senate version of this legislation would undercut health insurance coverage. According to the Congressional Budget Office, 4 million people next

Its Official Foster Care Placements Continue to Jump

On Thursday, November 30, HHS released the latest data on child welfare and it now shows that there are 437,465 children in foster care as of September 30, 2016. This is the fifth straight year of increases going from 396,966 in 2012 to 437,465 in 2016. Likely the 2017 numbers are even higher. That is

HHS Designee Finishes First Hearing

On Wednesday, November 29, the HELP Committee held the first of two Committee hearings on his nomination. HELP holds a hearing over the HHS Secretary position, but the actual approval vote comes through the Senate Finance Committee. Alex Azar, nominated to fill the vacancy left when Tom Price was forced out earlier this year due

VFA Portrait Project Major Success As Families Tell Their Stories to Congress

On Wednesday, November 15, CWLA partner organization Voice for Adoption, hosted their 13th annual Adoptive Family Portrait Project. November is national adoption month and the project is a way to highlight adoptions from foster care.  Members of Congress are recruited to display and feature families from their state or district.  An adoptive family’s photo is

New Data Highlights Youth Homelessness Problem

Last week a new report, Missed Opportunities: Youth Homelessness in America, the study covers youth homelessness in a range of settings.  Young people may survive by sleeping on the streets, in shelters, running away, being kicked out, and couch surfing. The report was conducted by Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago and is the

Addressing Intersections of Juvenile Justice and Youth Homelessness

  Last week a coalition of groups released, Addressing the Intersection of Juvenile Justice Involvement and Youth Homelessness: Principles for Change.  The report notes that a young person’s involvement with the justice system can increase their likelihood of later experiencing homelessness.  Pointing out that youth experiencing homelessness may be swept into the juvenile justice system

GAO on Child Well Being

The GAO has released a report Child Well Being: Key Considerations for Policymakers.  The report is intended as an assessment of what is known about child well-being and provides some views on what could or should be considered to address it. The report says: “In recent years, the well-being of children in the United States

No Progress Update # 3: DACA Fix Information and Briefing

No breakthroughs on a DACA compromise this past week and as a result other outside action is proceeding. A group of advocates will sponsor a briefing on Wednesday, November 29 to highlight the benefits of the DACA provisions.  The briefing (see below) will feature business leaders; educators on these young people can assist the economy

No Progress Update # 4: CHIP Reauthorization

There has been no progress on moving a CHIP reauthorization and movement in the Senate was almost impossible this week as the Senate Finance Committee was tied up with the tax package this week. CMS has reallocated a total $600 million to patch up current state shortfalls but that doesn’t relieve state policymakers’ uncertainty without

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