Administration for Children and Families (ACF)’s Post

Congresswoman Gwen Moore Introduces Family Poverty is Not Child Neglect Act Congresswoman Gwen Moore, Chair of the Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth, introduced the Family Poverty is Not Child Neglect Act, legislation that would make clear that child welfare agencies should not separate children from their parents solely due to poverty. In response, she released the following statement: “Too many find themselves interacting with the child welfare system not because they are not loving or good parents, but because of the parent's lack of resources to address housing, food, health care, and other basic needs. Instead of traumatic family separations that often punish those in poverty, my legislation would ensure our child welfare system cannot use poverty as the sole reason for splitting up families. And it further requires child welfare agencies to instead work with families to address any supportive services to address basic needs such as housing and food for families who need it most – helping keep parents and children together.” #EnactHR5028 https://lnkd.in/eFB9TfXb

Advocating for children's rights involves promoting and protecting their welfare, well-being, and interests. Here are some ways to advocate for children's rights: 1. Educate yourself: Learn about the Convention on the Rights of the Child and local laws related to child welfare. 2. Support organizations: Partner with groups focused on children's rights, such as UNICEF or Save the Children. 3. Volunteer: Help at local organizations, like youth shelters or after-school programs. 4. Raise awareness: Share information on social media or organize community events to highlight children's rights issues. 5. Engage in policy advocacy: Contact representatives and participate in campaigns that promote policies supporting children's rights. 6. Support children's participation: Encourage children to express their opinions and engage in decision-making processes. 7. Address systemic issues: Work to address poverty, discrimination, and other systemic issues affecting children's rights. Remember, every action counts, and collective efforts can lead to significant positive change for children's rights.

In honor of Kinship Care Awareness Month, let's take a moment to recognize the incredible value of kinship care and its profound impact on children and families. The Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) recognizes that families are the experts on their children, that maintaining family relationships is a priority for all children, and that the best work is done when the Local Departments of Social Services work as the conveners, collaborators, and catalysts who bring families together to support one another. Virginia’s data shows that for children involved with the child welfare system, those who live with committed kinship caregivers are more likely to live with their siblings, have fewer behavioral struggles, and have fewer moves, and for those children in foster care they are also less likely to age out and more likely to discharge to permanency within a year. Kinship care matters for our children and youth both inside and outside of foster care. A commitment to pursuing a Kin First culture is a commitment to pursuing these outcomes for Virginia’s children and youth through ongoing and consistent family engagement across the child welfare spectrum. #KinshipCareAwarenessMonth

Discover the Heart of Child Legacy International (CLI)! ❤️ Explore our FAQ series for an inside look at our mission. From empowering communities to fostering sustainable development, uncover the essence of CLI! Learn more about our FAQ's > childlegacy.org/faq/ #ChildLegacy #CommunityEmpowerment

Check out this webinar with members of our YouthNPower: Transforming Care Collective - our direct cash transfer pilot for youth who have aged-out of foster care, CREATED WITH young people who have experienced the child welfare system! Learn more at www.YouthNPower.org.

Friday Facts from the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s Family Ties series.   The KIDS COUNT Data Center released new data on the number of children and youth in kinship care. Over the past few years, that number has held steady, with nearly 2,500,000 children and youth being cared for full-time by relatives or close family friends. That’s 3% of the total child population in the U.S. https://lnkd.in/e6w-KMDD   The Casey Foundation’s Family Ties series explores state policies around a subset of these children – those who are involved with the child welfare system. We are encouraged to see many state and federal investments in kinship caregivers, such as reducing barriers to foster care licensing, implementing kinship navigator programs for caregivers inside and outside the child welfare system, and including close family friends in their definitions of relative. On Monday, September 23rd, we’ll release the final brief in the series, reflecting on what changes are still needed to support kinship caregivers and the children in their care.

Are you prepared to lead the way in fostering child safety and wellbeing? Our work is grounded in the 10 National Principles for Child Safe Organisations. These principles have been endorsed by the Prime Minister and state and territory First Ministers, aiming to provide a nationally consistent approach to fostering child safety and wellbeing. While the National Principles are not mandatory, organisations that implement them demonstrate leadership and commitment to child safety and wellbeing. These organisations will become 'organisations of choice', instilling confidence in children, young people, families, and communities that they provide safe environments where children's rights, needs, and interests are met. Are you ready to show your commitment to protecting and empowering children today? #Perth #Childrenrights #EndChildPovertyCampaign #Listentochildren #Kids #Ausgov #Mumsandads #ProtectionofChildren #ValuingChildrenInitiative #Parents #EndChildPoverty #PerthisOk #Centrecare #VCI #LegislatetoEndChildPoverty #ValuingChildrenInitiative #Nochildinpoverty https://lnkd.in/g-PWPjVP

Purpose: Children's Day is celebrated to honor and promote the welfare of children, emphasizing their rights, education, and well-being. 🧒📚💕 #ChildrensDay #ChildWelfare #EducationGlobal Celebrations: While the date varies by country, many places celebrate it with activities that highlight the importance of children’s issues and achievements. 🌍🎉 #GlobalCelebration #ChildrensRights #HappyChildrensDayHistorical Context: The day often commemorates significant figures or events related to children's rights. For instance, in many countries, it may be linked to the birthday of a notable advocate for children. 📅🌟 #HistoricalSignificance #ChildrensAdvocate #RightsActivities: The day might include events like educational programs, fun activities, and performances designed to engage children and raise awareness about their needs and rights. 🎨🎭📚 #FunActivities #EducationalPrograms #ChildrensEventsFocus on Rights: It’s also an opportunity to reflect on and promote children’s rights as outlined by organizations like UNICEF and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. 🌐🤝📜 #ChildrensRights #UNICEF #ChildRightsConvention

Released today by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, New Insights on State Kinship Diversion Policies highlights findings from a national kinship policy survey, This third brief in the Family Ties series highlights state policies for creating, overseeing, supporting and tracking kinship diversion arrangements. Are children, parents, and kin caregivers involved with kinship diversion appropriately informed, protected, and resourced? Learn more by downloading the brief here https://lnkd.in/e2cRKHfH Clear policy gaps exist across all states related to kinship diversion, and children and kin caregivers experience inequities related to the provision of services and supports. Stronger public policy is needed to spur best practices. Special thanks to Child Trends, Elizabeth Jordan, Generations United, Grandfamilies & Kinship Support Network, American Bar Association Center on Children and the Law and Chapin Hall.

THANK YOU JOOYEUN CHANG, DIRECTOR OF CHILD WELL-BEING @ THE DORIS DUKE FOUNDATION! ❤️ Last week JooYeun Chang testified to the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance to provide comments on the critical role of the Family First Prevention Services Act in child welfare. https://lnkd.in/ebYyS7-J The Doris Duke Foundation is investing in Opt-in for Families, a three-year, $33 million initiative, seeks to demonstrate that actively connecting families at the earliest signal of need, to direct support for basic needs & coordinated support services using highly trusted community partners is a cost-effective, scalable way to prevent abuse & neglect AND keep families together. Opt-In is an alternative system response that can meet the comprehensive needs of families at risk must be able to attend to not only a family’s service needs through effective engagement strategies & care coordination but must also address the time-sensitive material needs that contribute to maltreatment & foster care placement risk. Providing a framework for the use of material through Family First can help ensure that poverty is not the primary reason a child is entering foster care. #reenvisioningfostercare