State

Child Trends Survey Shows Waivers Are Funding Traditional IV-E Services

The new Child Trends survey of state child welfare spending indicates that the overwhelming use of Title IV-E funding through Title IV-E waivers has been used for services that can be currently paid for under the current Title IV-E law. The funding totaled approximately $2 billion. According to the survey of 24 states providing data

ACA Legal Defense Picks Up Supporters

  The Affordable Care Act (ACA) received some new support in defense of its existence last week. As part of the new House rules package, the Speaker can weigh-in with the courts in support of the law. The action by Speaker Pelosi is a reversal of past actions of House Speakers (Boehner and Ryan) who

Bipartisan Juvenile Justice Legislation Passes Unanimously

Shaquita Ogletree On Thursday, December 13, Congress passed H.R. 6964, the Juvenile Justice Reform Act of 2018. It has been 16 years since the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974 (JJDPA) was last authorized. JJDPA is the main federal law that strengthens protections for justice-involved youth and improves public safety. Upon final passage

Children’s Bureau Family First Call This Week

When the Children’s Bureau released their first guidance on services provided through the Family First Act, they also announced two call to provided further information. Those calls will be on Monday, December 17, 2018 from 2:30 – 4:00 PM ET or Tuesday, December 18, 2018 from 12:00-1:30 PM ET. Call-in Information: is: 888-391-9602 with the

Court Ruling on ACA Sets Up Continued Debate on ACA in 2019

Late on Friday, December 14, Judge Reed O’Connor, Federal District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Fort Worth Division, issued a court ruling, that strikes down the ACA in its entirety. For now there are no changes in the current status in the ACA. What it likely does is push front and center the

Sesame Street Addresses Family Homelessness

Shaquita Ogletree The PBS children’s show, Sesame Street is now addressing homelessness. Muppet Lily storyline includes the 7-year-old facing homelessness, and on Thursday, December 13 the Sesame Street in Communities held a forum to discuss its newest initiative, family homelessness. The forum consisted of panel experts LaShawn Haye, Project Hope Alliance, Kate Barrand, Horizons for

CWLA Submits Comments Opposing Public Charge Changes

Shaquita Ogletree On Friday, December 7, CWLA submitted comments in response to the proposed changes that would penalize immigrant families who seek assistance meeting their basic needs. The “public charge” test is designed to identify people who may depend on the government as their main source of support. On October 10, the Department of Homeland

Capitol Hill Briefing on Prevention of Child Abuse

Shaquita Ogletree On Tuesday, December 4, the American Psychological Association (APA) and Partners for Children co-hosted the congressional briefings on Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) in the House (a subsequent meeting was held on Wednesday, December 5th in the Senate). Child maltreatment affects a significant portion of our population. The briefing highlighted examples

HHS Releases First Guidance On Family First Services

Late Friday, The Administration on Children and Families released its first guidance and preliminary list of services for funding under the Family First Prevention Services Act (PL 115-123)—(FFA). The guidance at ACYF-CB-PI-18-09 gives an overview of some of the initial decisions made by HHS in the interpretation and implementation of the Family First Act. Included

Budget Finish Still Uncertain

With only 4 days until funding runs out on 25 percent of the federal budget, it is still unclear how the story of the FY 2019 ends. It appears likely there will be a short-term extension this week but that is because of the funeral and ceremonies in honor of former President George H.W. Bush.

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