Pages tagged "Child Rights"
Legislation with Mental Health Reforms, Opioid Prevention Funding Heads to Senate
12/1/2016
A major medical innovation bill that could help children and families with mental health reforms and funding to fight opioid addiction is headed to the U.S. Senate.
The $6.3 billion bill, the 21st Century Cures Act, is largely devoted to changing the way medical drugs and devices are approved in the United States. But various other provisions hitched a ride on the bill the House approved Wednesday by a vote of 392-26.
The Senate is expected to consider the legislation next week, and the White House has weighed in with support for it.
New Housing Data Misses the Mark on Family Homelessness
Washington – Advocates for homeless children and youth say the annual estimate of homelessness in the United States released yesterday by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is misleading and underestimates family and youth homelessness.
HUD’s Annual Homeless Assessment Report Part II, an estimate and description of homeless Americans presented each year to Congress, reported 502,521 sheltered families with children in 2015, a 6.1 percent increase since 2007.
In contrast, public schools, as reported by the Department of Education identified 1,301,239 homeless children and youth in the 2013-2014 school year, a 100 percent increase from the 2006-2007 school year. Head Start programs also reported a significant increase in the numbers of homeless children identified by Head Start programs, from 26,200 homeless children in 2007-2008, to 50,219 in 2014-2015, and increasing by 3% between 2013-2014 and 2015-2016.
HUD’s estimates focus on shelter occupancy, which is inappropriate for families and youth because:
- HUD measures capacity, not need: Shelters are often full, and many communities do not have shelters, or have shelters that are inappropriate for the needs families or youth. Unaccompanied youth may avoid adult shelters because of safety concerns.
- HUD does not look in the places most homeless families and youth can be found: Homeless families and youth are less likely than single adults to stay on the streets and other outdoor locations. They are less likely to sleep in bus stations, parks, etc. because they fear referrals to child protective services. Unaccompanied youth can face victimization on the streets. Families and youth are much more likely to stay temporarily with other people, or in motels. But HUD does not consider these homeless children and youth to be homeless, and makes no effort to count them.
Department of Education data includes children and youth in these hidden locations, which are unstable and very often unsafe. HUD excludes these children and youth in its estimates and fails to prioritize their needs. As Congress considers policies to address family homelessness in the 115th session, it should require HUD to adopt a more accurate definition of homelessness for children and youth, and honor local communities’ local assessments of their needs.
The First Focus Campaign for Children, the National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth, and the National Center for Housing and Child Welfare released the following statements in response to HUD’s release:
“Homeless children and youth find themselves in many situations, and all have experienced trauma,” said Bruce Lesley, president of First Focus Campaign for Children. “The report is a missed opportunity to identify all homeless children and youth in the U.S. so we can realize the true need. Homeless children and youth can’t wait any longer to receive the support they deserve.”
“The nation’s public schools, including early childhood education programs such as Head Start, have witnessed a persistent increase in the numbers of homeless children and youth over the past decade,” said Barbara Duffield, Director of Policy and Programs for the National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth. “To categorize these children and youth as merely ‘housing unstable,’ as does today’s report, both mischaracterizes their living situations and implies that they are less vulnerable than other homeless children and youth. Nothing could be further from the truth. The urgency of child and youth homelessness requires that HUD Homeless Assistance be redesigned to meet the unique developmental needs of children and youth.”
“The AHAR is simply a report of how many homeless people are contacted through an impressive, elaborate street outreach effort conducted once a year through the Point in Time events nationwide,” said Ruth White, executive director of National Center for Housing and Child Welfare. “The obvious discrepancy between the AHAR numbers and what any provider, public school employee, or American who regularly walks down a city street can see with their own eyes, calls into question the need for the AHAR and indeed, the purpose of the PIT counts.”
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The First Focus Campaign for Children is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization affiliated with First Focus, a bipartisan children’s advocacy organization. The Campaign for Children advocates directly for legislative change in Congress to ensure children and families are a priority in federal policy and budget decisions. For more information, visit www.campaignforchildren.org .
NAEHCY is a national grassroots membership association dedicated to ensuring the school enrollment, attendance, and overall success for children and youth whose lives have been disrupted by the lack of safe, permanent and adequate housing. For more information, see www.naehcy.org.
The National Center for Housing and Child Welfare (NCHCW) links housing resources and knowledge to child welfare agencies in order to improve family functioning, prevent family homelessness, and reduce the need for out-of-home placement. NCHCW also brings housing resources to child welfare agencies in order to ensure that older youth in foster care have a connection to permanent family as well as a solid plan for stable housing and services to help them be successful as adults.
Fact Sheet: Current federal legislation on child lead poisoning in the U.S.
Se
veral proposals before Congress have been introduced recently to address the nation's widespread child lead poisoning epidemic following the tragic public health disaster in Flint, Mich.
Some proposals would provide funding to replace lead pipes in contaminated water systems, establish mandatory testing and reporting of lead levels, and update federal law to require local governments to notify the public of lead in their water system. Other proposals would help schools and childcare centers test their drinking water for lead by establishing a new grant program.
The First Focus Campaign for Children strongly urges legislators to consider these and all other common-sense proposals that protect children in American from lead poisoning in their homes, schools, and natural environment.
Oppose the American SAFE Act of 2015
On November 19, 2015, the First Focus Campaign for Children sent this letter to the House of Representatives in opposition to the “American Security Against Foreign Enemies Act of 2015,” or “American SAFE Act of 2015” (H.R. 4038). The letter emphasizes the need for the United States to welcome Syrian refugees, many who are children rather than create bureaucratic hurdles that could essentially halt Syrian children and families from seeking refuge in the United States.
LEGISLATORS RECOGNIZED FOR WORK TO IMPROVE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM, PROTECT VULNERABLE CHILDREN
11/1/2015
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) was named a 2015 Champion of Children by the First Focus Campaign for Children.
Portman was recognized for his leadership on issues important to the health and well-being of children including improving the foster care system and protecting vulnerable Ohio children from human traffickers...
Esty named ‘Defender of Children’ by advocacy group
By Rob Ryster
U.S. Rep. Elizabeth Esty is among 50 lawmakers recognized by an advocacy group as a “Defender of Children.”
The group First Focus Campaign for Children chose Esty for her leadership on issues important to children during the 114th Congress in 2014 and 2015, according to a release...
National children's advocacy group calls Franken, Klobuchar, Ellison and McCollum 'Champions for Children'
By Joe Kimball
10/27/2015
The national First Focus Campaign for Children has included four Minnesotans on a list of 50 members of Congress they call "Champions for Children."
On the list are Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken, and Reps. Keith Ellison and Betty McCollum. They were cited for their "extraordinary efforts to protect and improve the future of America’s next generation."...
Schakowsky Honored as 'Defender of Children' by Advocacy Group
By Tim Moran
Illinois th District U.S. Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, D-Evanston was one of 66 House members to be recognized for advocating for children by national advocacy group First Focus Campaign for Children.
“Lots of politicians talk about kids’ issues, but few back it up,” said Bruce Lesley, president of the Campaign for Children. “Representative Schakowsky made real commitments to improving the wellbeing of America’s children.”...
Dold Honored as 'Defender of Children' by Advocacy Group
By Tim Moran
Illinois 10th District U.S. Congressman Robert Dold, R-Kenilworth was one of 66 House members to be recognized for advocating for children by national advocacy group First Focus Campaign for Children.
“Lots of politicians talk about kids’ issues, but few back it up,” said Bruce Lesley, president of the Campaign for Children. “Representative Dold made real commitments to improving the wellbeing of America’s children.”...
120+ Advocacy Groups Endorse Children’s Bill of Rights
Washington – Over 120 state and national organizations led by the First Focus Campaign for Children endorsed today the Children’s Bill of Rights (H. Res. 476).
The resolution, recently introduced by Rep. Karen Bass (D-Calif.), Rep. Judy Chu (D-Calif.) and Rep. Luis Gutiérrez (D-Ill.), would establish a national Children’s Bill of Rights recognizing that every child is entitled to:
- Basic needs such as shelter, clothing and food;
- Protection from abuse and/or neglect, access to medical treatment;
- Educational supports and opportunities;
- Representation by attorneys and advocates in legal proceedings;
- Rehabilitative services if detained or incarcerated; and
- Protections from unsafe child labor.
“The Children’s Bill of Rights is an important step forward in federal recognition that children are entitled to basic rights and protections that promote their physical, social and emotional well-being. In addition, it promotes access to education and other opportunities that enhance their life skills to ensure the healthy development of all children in the United States,” said the groups in a letter sent to Congress.
Endorsing organizations include the American Federation of Teachers, Child Labor Coalition, Child Welfare League of America, First Focus Campaign for Children, Kids in Need of Defense (KIND), and National PTA.
The United States stands alone as the only nation that has not ratified the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child and lacks a comprehensive framework governing the rights of children.
“The United States has no framework governing the rights of our children to ensure their basic needs are being met. That is shameful,” said Bruce Lesley, President of First Focus Campaign for Children. “The rights of the child should be our first thought every time we make a decision about their well-being.”
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The First Focus Campaign for Children is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization affiliated with First Focus, a bipartisan children’s advocacy organization. The Campaign for Children advocates directly for legislative change in Congress to ensure children and families are the priority in federal policy and budget decisions. For more information, visit campaignforchildren.org.