Adoption Courts Act” (H.R. 6700) This new proposed legislation would require the Children’s Bureau to collect and maintain information regarding all private adoptions, and for other purposes. Lead Sponsor: Rep. Doug Lamborn.  “This legislation will ensure policymakers have accurate and useful … [Read more...]

“Voluntary Limited Accreditation for Adoption Services” (S.3551). This proposed legislation would modify the Intercountry Adoption Act of 2000 to provide a limited accreditation option for performing certain adoption services.  Lead Sponsors. Sen. Roger Wicker and Sen. Amy Klobuchar.  Accreditation … [Read more...]

NY: New York Lawmakers Push For Major Investments in Family Court System Imprint - February 14, 2024 Declaring the New York Family Court system "in crisis," state lawmakers and legal advocates for children and families are calling for a major new public investment to improve the handling of … [Read more...]

US: Bill Tracker: Protecting Benefits for Foster Youth (Requires subscription) Imprint - February 13, 2024 The Imprint has reported quite a bit in the past few years on the use of federal benefits for foster youth to help state and local governments pay for foster care costs, a practice … [Read more...]

NY: NY Bill Proposes Relief for Low-Income Families in Foster Care System BNN - February 14, 2024 The New York State Legislature is contemplating a bill that could bring a significant change to the foster care system. The proposed legislation aims to eliminate the mandate for parents to … [Read more...]

US: New Opportunity for Support: Bridging Systems for Kinship Families (Press release) U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Community Living - January 11, 2024 The ACL-funded Grandfamilies & Kinship Support Network, the nation's first federally funded technical … [Read more...]

US: Governors on Both Coasts Face Budget Shortfalls for Serving Children and Families Next Year Imprint - January 10, 2024 Facing weaker tax revenue and the end of pandemic-era emergency cash infusions from the federal government, state governors' spending plans for vulnerable children and … [Read more...]

NY: Empowering futures with an initiative for foster youth (Includes video) Scripps News - January 04, 2024 A diploma helped open a path forward to Sanji Afruz. It's a symbol of the obstacles she's already cleared. Afruz was once in the foster care system. Right now, there are more than 6,000 … [Read more...]

NY: Governor Hochul Announces Plan to Address Public Safety Challenges Associated with Serious Mental Illness (Press release) Office of Kathy Hochul, Governor for New York - January 09, 2024 Governor Hochul today announced a plan to address the public safety challenges associated with serious … [Read more...]

NY: Golden Hill housing complex receives $15 million grant Hudson Valley One - January 01, 2024 Two years behind schedule, the affordable housing development slated for construction on Golden Hill in Kingston received a $15-million infusion from the state Homeless Housing Assistance Program … [Read more...]