Family Unity: It’s the foundational principle of child welfare law and woven into the moral fabric of our society. Families belong together. This is not supposed to be a controversial concept. Yet the Trump Administration continues to advance family separation policies for immigrant families, both at the border and within the interior of the U.S.
Read MoreOn July 2nd, Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH), alongside Senators Kamala D. Harris (D-CA), Bob Casey (D-PA), and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), introduced the Child Welfare Emergency Assistance Act. The bill will provide a much-needed infusion of resources to help the child welfare system adequately respond to the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Read MoreTo date, Congress has failed to provide older youth from foster care with relief amid the pandemic. Surveys show that the majority of these youth who have lost jobs have not received the increased unemployment insurance provided in the CARES Act and most have not received stimulus payments. Still, there have been no federal funds dedicated to meet their pressing needs. CDF, and our other child welfare partners, urge Congress to provide $500 million in emergency funding to the John H. Chafee Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood to help stabilize these youth.
Read MoreWe applaud the many important provisions laid out in the HEROES Act and will continue urging both chambers of Congress to include these and other steps to ensure our most vulnerable children and families can weather this crisis.
Read MoreThose disproportionately impacted by this crisis were either completely left out of the previous relief packages or have additional, critical needs that must be addressed in Congress’ next response to the COVID-19 crisis. We cannot allow this crisis to continue to exacerbate existing disparities, hit our most vulnerable children the hardest, and cause lasting harm.
Read MoreThe Children’s Defense Fund’s commitment to protecting all children and families is more important now than ever. We are quickly adapting to meet the challenges of the COVID-19 public health emergency with urgency and impact.
Read MoreOn behalf of nearly 600 national, state, and local organizations, CDF sent a letter to Congressional leaders urging Congress to act immediately to equip the child welfare system with the tools it needs to handle this crisis. Strengthening the system to face these challenges requires a comprehensive approach that addresses the entire child welfare continuum.
Read MoreWe are urging Congress to act immediately to provide crucial support to families facing the stress and disruptions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic by equipping the child welfare system with the tools it needs to handle the crisis.
Read MoreAs the government works diligently to respond to the coronavirus pandemic, the focus has rightly been on shoring up the medical response, containing the virus’s spread and stabilizing the economy.
Read MoreAs we face a widespread, national health crisis, we hope you are taking steps to keep yourself, your loved ones, and your community safe.
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