NACC Joins Sign-On Letters
- Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children
- Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers Funding
- Put Children First in Department of Homeland Security Funding
- Combat Misinformation on Fraud
- Supporting $250 million for Full Service Community Schools
- Opposition to Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Mixed Status Families
- Reconnecting Youth Campaign’s Appropriations Letter
- Implementation of FY26 Social Services Block Grant Language
- Reauthorization of the 2025/2026 Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act
- Foster Youth Workforce Opportunity Act
- Foster Youth Housing Opportunity Act
- Foster Youth Postsecondary Education Access and Success Act
- Expectant and Parenting Foster Youth Act
- Fresh Starts for Foster Youth Act
- Chafee Opportunities for New Networks and Existing Connection Trust Act
Amicus News
- In re E.L. and D.L. v. Adams County Sheriff et. al. – NACC joined partners to oppose a ban on in-person family time for parents experiencing incarceration. The Petitioner’s motion to show cause was denied.
Counsel for Kids Update
Hawai’i’s C4K bill continues to move through the Senate. HB 1565 would establish and appropriate funds for a working group that will review and consider access to legal representation for youth in the child welfare system, examine practices of other jurisdictions, and conduct site visits to selected jurisdictions to identify possible practices to implement.
The House passed the bill after three committee hearings. The bill was transferred to the Senate where the Committee on Judiciary recommended do pass on March 17 and sent the measure to the Ways and Means Committee. Lived experience experts of Epic ʻOhana’s HI H.O.P.E.S Initiative and other stakeholders continue to fiercely champion this effort with their supportive testimony. See NACC’s written testimony in support of the proposals.
Illinois’ DCFS Secure Act is still alive. HB 4966 includes a provision to guarantee the right to client-directed counsel for youth eight and older placed out-of-state. The bill underscores the state’s continuing responsibility to children in out-of-state placements to ensure they are not subjected to foreseeable harm, discrimination, or denial of care that would be lawful and medically appropriate under Illinois law. In a quick procedural move to beat the committee deadline, the bill was scheduled for short debate before the House Adoption and Child Welfare Committee, which resulted in a do pass recommendation.
Arizona changes plan to slash C4K with new amendment. The original language of SB 1234 would have reversed the mandatory appointment of client-directed children’s attorneys and instead required the appointment of GAL attorneys to all children in dependency matters. NACC joined numerous advocates in submitting written opposition testimony. Due to significant opposition, the bill sponsor amended the bill language (which was added to SB 1496) to continue existing mandates for appointment of counsel and add new terms, including that counsel must meet with child-clients five and older at least once a month, when counsel must use substituted judgement, and what action counsel must take when they believe a child is at substantial risk of harm.
Colorado defends youth rights. HB26-1227 would clarify that as parties to a dependency and neglect case youth have standing to protect all their interests through their GAL or children’s attorney. The proposal ensures that youth have due process and procedural rights that allow their full participation in their own proceeding, including the right to request a hearing when objecting to the dismissal of their dependency and neglect proceeding. This alleviates the agency’s unilateral authority to dismiss a case prior to adjudication over the objection of the child. After public hearing, the House Health and Human Services Committee voted to pass the measure on March 3. NACC submitted written letters of support to committee members.
New in the Counsel for Kids Toolkit: