COVID-19 spending bill gives additional $6.3 billion for child welfare, human services
Last week, the President signed a $2 trillion emergency relief bill aimed at providing economic relief to the nation’s families, workers, and businesses. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act will provide the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) with $6.3 billion in additional funding that will aid in the continuation of work protecting, supporting, and uplifting our vulnerable communities during this public health crisis.
“President Trump has secured more than $6 billion in funding to help meet the needs of America’s most vulnerable during this time of crisis, from youth in foster care to families enrolled in Head Start,” said HHS Secretary Alex Azar. “As part of the President’s all-of-America approach to combating the coronavirus, ACF is providing extra support for community services, such as child care, housing, and nutrition, that Americans may rely on even more in this time of crisis.”
“It is crucial that we continue our work in supporting our most vulnerable populations with the services they need to live their daily lives during this unprecedented time.” said ACF Assistant Secretary Lynn Johnson. “The work that Congress has done to support services that protect and uplift those in need is pivotal to ensuring the success and stability of millions of Americans during this public health crisis.”
This historic legislation delivers a strong financial foundation for programs affected by COVID-19 including Head Start, child care, and child welfare. To support child development and COVID-19 related needs of children and families, the bill provides $750 million toward the Head Start program. In an effort to support the learning of children in Head Start programs that has been disrupted by the crisis, the bill includes up to $500 million for summer Head Start programs.
“Providing a summer Head Start program will give America’s most vulnerable children and their families structure and support as they transition to kindergarten,” said Director of Head Start and Early Childhood Development Deborah Bergeron. “We are also coordinating with states and communities to reduce barriers and support the critical child care infrastructure, both near-term for front line workers and in the long-term for all working families.”
The bill also provides $3.5 billion to the Child Care and Development Block Grant. This funding will support states, territories, and tribes to provide assistance to child care providers in order to financially support them during the public health crisis. This additional funding will also help support healthcare workers, first responders, and others playing critical roles during this crisis.
In supporting and strengthening families, the legislation provides $117 million in funding towards the Runaway and Homeless Youth Programs, Family Violence and Prevention Services and Child Welfare Services. To provide assistance to grantees who are providing critical services and housing for runaway youth, the bill provides $25 million to the Runaway and Homeless Youth Program. To provide additional support to family violence shelters, the bill also provides $45 million to Family Violence Prevention and Services; this is in addition to the $2 million in support for the National Domestic Violence Hotline. The bill also provides $45 million to Child Welfare Services, so that states, territories and tribes can continue to support child welfare needs of families during this public health crisis and work towards keeping families together.
“Every day the programs funded by the Administration on Children, Youth and Families seek to make a positive and lasting impact upon vulnerable children and youth,” said Commissioner of the Administration on Children, Youth and Families Elizabeth Darling. “These additional funds provided to assist during this public health crisis will bring desperately needed resources to faith and community-based organizations, state agencies and other service providers who work with runaway and homeless youth, survivors of domestic violence, and the children and their families who are navigating the child welfare system due to abuse or neglect.”
Below is a list of programs that are receiving funding from the emergency relief bill:
- Head Start: $750 million
- Child Care and Development Block Grant: $3.5 billion
- Runaway and Homeless Youth Programs: $25 million
- Family Violence Prevention and Services: $45 million
- Child Welfare Services: $45 million
- Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program: $900 million
- Community Services Block Grant: $1 billion
- Federal Administration: $7 million
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Child Care Entitlement, Health Profession Opportunity Grants, Personal Responsibility Education Program, and Sexual Risk Avoidance Education: Extension of current mandatory authorizations and appropriations for the entire FY 2020 and for the first two months of FY 2021.
The Administration for Children and Families thanks Congress and the President for their dedication to the American people to support services that strengthen and support families, individuals, youth and children to achieve their fullest potential during a public health crisis.
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Quick Facts
- This historic legislation delivers a strong financial foundation for programs affected by COVID-19 including Head Start, child care, and child welfare.
- To support child development and COVID-19 related needs of children and families, the bill provides $750 million toward the Head Start program.
- In an effort to support the learning of children in Head Start programs that has been disrupted by the crisis, the bill includes up to $500 million for summer Head Start programs.
- The bill also provides $3.5 billion to the Child Care and Development Block Grant. This
- In supporting and strengthening families, the legislation provides $117 million in funding towards the Runaway and Homeless Youth Programs, Family Violence and Prevention Services and Child Welfare Services.
Quotes
“It is crucial that we continue our work in supporting our most vulnerable populations with the services they need to live their daily lives during this unprecedented time.”— ACF Assistant Secretary Lynn Johnson
“The work that Congress has done to support services that protect and uplift those in need is pivotal to ensuring the success and stability of millions of Americans during this public health crisis.”— ACF Assistant Secretary Lynn Johnson
“Providing a summer Head Start program will give America’s most vulnerable children and their families structure and support as they transition to kindergarten."— Director of Head Start and Early Childhood Development Deborah Bergeron
“We are also coordinating with states and communities to reduce barriers and support the critical child care infrastructure, both near-term for front line workers and in the long-term for all working families.”— Director of Head Start and Early Childhood Development Deborah Bergeron
“Every day the programs funded by the Administration on Children, Youth and Families seek to make a positive and lasting impact upon vulnerable children and youth."— Commissioner of the Administration on Children, Youth and Families Elizabeth Darling
“These additional funds provided to assist during this public health crisis will bring desperately needed resources to faith and community-based organizations, state agencies and other service providers who work with runaway and homeless youth, survivors of domestic violence, and the children and their families who are navigating the child welfare system due to abuse or neglect.”— Commissioner of the Administration on Children, Youth and Families Elizabeth Darling
Contact
Administration for Children & Families
Office of Communications
330 C Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20201
Phone: (202) 401-9215
Fax: (202) 205-9688
Email: media@acf.hhs.gov