The House-passed HEROES Act adopted by the House on May 15, 2020, includes significant funding under the Social Services Block Grant (SSBG) that would help state and local governments address current budgetary shortfalls. SSBG has always been a significant funder of a range of child welfare services, including foster care, youth services, child protection, prevention
The Trump Justice Department filed a brief with the Supreme Court on the upcoming FULTON, ET AL. v. CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, ET AL.in support of plaintiffs and in opposition to the City of Philadelphia and that City’s ban on discrimination in children’s placement through their child welfare system. The brief offers little in terms of
The Academy Health, in partnership with ACT for Health and with support from Well Being Trust, developed the report Advancing Teen Flourishing: Moving Policy Upstream outlining policy priorities from experts in the field for enhancing the psychological, social, and emotional wellbeing of America’s teens. The well-being of children is an overarching societal goal. Teens ages
Last November 13, 2019, the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments on whether the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) should be upheld. Time is running down for the Court to issue their final decisions for this session, which normally ends this month. Based on analysis written last fall, some Supreme Court observers were guessing that
On Tuesday, June 9, 2020, HHS released an additional $25 billion in relief funding to some hospitals and other health care providers. The release comes after building pressure on the Administration to release more of the $175 billion in health care relief funding that had been provided in earlier COVID-19 legislation. HHS has had great
On Thursday, June 11, Zero to Three released the State of Babies Yearbook: 2020, a comprehensive report and advocacy tool that tells the story of how the United States’ babies are faring and provides a clear view of the significant disparities in opportunity for the youngest children throughout the country. Speakers included Myra Jones-Taylor from
On Tuesday, June 9, the Senate Finance Committee hearing “Unemployment Insurance During COVID-19: The CARES Act and the Role of Unemployment Insurance During the Pandemic” addressed the future and current administration of Unemployment Insurance (UI). As state governments and businesses have slowly started to gain footing during this pandemic, Congress is now faced with a
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) released the House summer schedule at the end of May. He expects a month full of appropriations and other committee action through all of June with floor votes beginning on June 30th until the July 4th break. It appears likely the House will begin committee action on appropriations starting
On May 26, 2020, the Children’s Bureau released guidance to Child Welfare Directors describing how title IV-E agencies can utilize enhanced foster care programs during the COVID-19 pandemic to support youth who have left or may leave foster care. In the letter, Jerry Milner stated that “the available flexibilities include allowing states to opt into
On Thursday, June 4, 2020, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) introduced a companion to Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) the Child Care is Essential Act that would provide $50 billion in child care funding as part of the fifth or next COVID-19 bill. CWLA has endorsed Senator Murray’s bill which is co-sponsored by Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR0,
