Senate Legislation

The Family Violence Prevention and Services Act

Domestic violence is a critical issue that, according to recent reports, has been made worse since the pandemic.  On average, 1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men experience intimate partner violence. Nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner (NCADV). Escaping domestic violence can result in homelessness as many

The Child Tax Credit (CTC) and the Parent Penalty

As very high-level negotiations continue over what should be included in a final reconciliation bill one of CWLA prime issues is the CTC. The internal debate is how to reduce the overall cost of the reconciliation bill (even if paid for by tax increases and other revenue).  One easy way is to simply drop a

Paid Leave Would Cut Health Care Costs

New research, Paid Leave Would Cut Healthcare Costs, by the National Partnership for Women and Families, argues that a paid family and medical leave bill will save the economy over $64 billion if it becomes law. The House Ways and Means Committee version of the proposal would create a national paid family and medical leave

Finance Committee Still Collecting Rec’s on Mental Health/Substance Use

The Senate Finance Committee is asking for public comments on ways to address substance use and mental health services due to last week’s faulty link in the Children’s Monitor you can link to the full letter: here.  Committee is asking members of the behavior health community and other interested parties about how the committee can

Possible Loan Forgiveness for Some of Child Welfare Workforce

Last week’s news break by National Public Radio (NPR) that the U.S. Department of Education will offer a fix of the troubled public services loan forgiveness program proved to be true when the US Department of Education announced on Wednesday, October 6, new efforts that “Will Put Over 550,000 Public Service Workers Closer to Loan

GAO Reports on State Reinvestment of Adoption Assistance Savings

Last week the Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued a long-awaited report on whether states are reinvesting the significant savings they realized when the federal Adoption Assistance program was de-linked from the AFDC eligibility standards.   The GAO report: CHILD WELFARE: Better Data and Guidance Could Help States Reinvest Adoption Savings and Improve Federal Oversight indicated

Why Did the GAO Review State Reinvestment of Adoption Assistance Savings?

In 2008 when Congress enacted the Fostering Connections to Success Act, one of the most significant parts was a gradual “de-link” of Adoption Assistance from the old AFDC link. As is still the case with Title IV-E foster care and kinship care placements today, federal funding for children in care is only provided if a

Senate Committee Focuses on Violence Against Women Act

On October 5, 2021, the Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing on the reauthorization of Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). Chairman Dick Durbin (D-IL) introduced Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco, the witness for the hearing. Prior to questioning, Chairman Durbin emphasized the importance of the reauthorization of the law as the pandemic has created an increase in

Finance Committee Still Collecting Rec’s on Mental Health/Substance Use

If you missed access to a copy of the September 21,2021 the Senate Finance Committee asking for public comments on ways to address substance use and mental health services due to last week’s faulty link in the Children’s Monitor you can link to the full letter: here.  Committee is asking members of the behavior health

Funding For FY 2022 Extends Until December 3, 2021

Unable to get Senate Republicans to agree to a suspension or raising of the debt ceiling, Congressional Democrats took out the debt ceiling fix and were able to get Republican senators to adopt a continuing resolution sending it to the President’s desk before the start of the fiscal year on Friday, October 1, 2021.  The

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