Congressional Research Service Reports - 74 Matching Results

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Homelessness: Targeted Federal Programs: This report discusses the definitions of homelessness used by targeted federal homeless programs and federal efforts to end homelessness. In addition, the report describes the current federal programs that provide targeted assistance to homeless individuals and families (other federal programs may provide assistance to homeless individuals but are not specifically designed to assist homeless persons).
The Child Tax Credit: Legislative History: This report discusses the legislative history of the child tax credit and the most recent changes to it.
Runaway and Homeless Youth: Demographics and Programs: This report discusses runaway and homeless youth, and the federal response to support this population. The report begins with an overview of the runaway and homeless youth population. It then describes the challenges in defining and counting the runaway and homeless youth population, as well as the factors that influence homelessness and leaving home. The report also provides background on the evolution of the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act from the 1970s until it was last amended in 2008. It then describes the administration and funding of the Basic Center, Transitional Living, and Street Outreach programs that were created from authorizations in the act. Finally, the report discusses other federal programs that may be used to assist runaway and homeless youth.
Unauthorized Childhood Arrivals: Legislative Activity in the 115th Congress: This report provides a summary of proposed legislation in the Senate regarding unauthorized childhood arrivals and DACA recipients in the United States and discusses some of the major issues surrounding the topic.
The Missing and Exploited Children's (MEC) Program: Background and Policies: This report discusses the Missing and Exploited Children Program's various parts such as the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, The Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, and the Amber Alert program along with their funding levels.
Smart Toys and the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998: This report discusses "smart toys" for children that use the internet to interact with the user. It outlines various security concerns regarding the collection and use of information about children, and whether these toys are governed by the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998.
The Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Part B: Key Statutory and Regulatory Provisions: This report discusses the IDEA Act which regulates special education programs and services for children with disabilities. Part B contains provisions relating to the education of school aged children (the grants-to-states program) and state grants program for preschool children with disabilities (Section 619). There are three sections in the report covering services for children with disabilities, procedural safeguards, and funding, expenditure requirements and compliance.
Tax Reform: The Child Credit and the Child Care Credit: This report discusses the child credit and the child care credit and what changes are being made to them in the new tax reform plan currently being debated. This report provides background to help assess who would be assisted by potential changes to either credit. It shows what types of families with children receive both credits and how the credits are distributed across the income distribution.
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA): Frequently Asked Questions: This report answers frequently asked questions about the DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) program and the recent announcement on September 5, 2017 that the program was being rescinded.
The End of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Program: Some Immediate Takeaways: This report outlines some of the major implications of ending the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Program, including common questions about what happens to current DACA recipients, and possibilities for Congress to consider.
Unaccompanied Alien Children: An Overview: This report opens with an analysis of recent unaccompanied alien children (UAC) apprehension data. It then discusses current policy on the treatment, care, and custody of the population, with a description of the responsibilities of each federal agency involved with the population. The report also discusses administrative and congressional actions to deal with the UAC surge in FY2014 and ongoing action to address possible future surges.
The DACA and DAPA Deferred Action Initiatives: Frequently Asked Questions: This report provides answers to frequently asked questions about the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) initiatives.
Unaccompanied Children from Central America: Foreign Policy Considerations: This report examines policy considerations for Congress in response to the recent influx of unaccompanied alien children (UAC) from Central American countries being apprehended at the U.S. border. The report also discusses the current policy framework and the Obama Administration's diplomatic response.
A Resurgence of Unaccompanied Alien Children?: This report briefly examines the recently-high number of unaccompanied alien children (UAC). In the first seven months of FY2016, apprehensions at the U.S.-Mexico border have approached levels close to what they were in FY2014 when such migration flows reached what were characterized as "crisis" proportions.
Unaccompanied Alien Children: An Overview: This report opens with an analysis of recent unaccompanied alien children (UAC) apprehension data. It then discusses current policy on the treatment, care, and custody of the population, with a description of the responsibilities of each federal agency involved with the population. The report then discusses both administrative and congressional actions to deal with the UAC surge in FY2014 and ongoing action to address possible future surges.
Runaway and Homeless Youth: Demographics and Programs: This report discusses runaway and homeless youth, and the federal response to support this population. It provides an overview defining the population, a history of the evolution of relevant federal policy, a description of the Runaway and Homeless Youth Program and its funding, and a summary of additional federal support.
Juvenile Justice Funding Trends: This report provides a brief overview of the juvenile justice grant programs and the overall appropriation administered by the Department of Justice's (DOJ's) Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). There is no federal juvenile justice system, however the government uses federal juvenile justice entities and grant programs in order to influence the states' systems. Eligibility for some of these grant programs is tied to certain mandates that the states must adhere to in order to receive federal funding.
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF): Size and Characteristics of the Cash Assistance Caseload: This report examines the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) cash assistance caseload, focusing on how the composition and characteristics of families receiving assistance have changed over time.
Unaccompanied Alien Children--Legal Issues: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions: This report addresses the questions regarding the number of children arriving at the United States southern border, their reasons for coming to the United States, and current and potential responses of the federal government and other entities to their arrival.
State Considers Amendment to Protect Human Life at Any Stage of Development: This legal sidebar discusses a proposal in North Dakota that would amend the state constitution to address the right to life. If adopted, the North Dakota constitution would state: "The inalienable right to life of every human being at any stage of development must be recognized and protected."
Early Childhood Care and Education Programs: Background and Funding: Federal support for child care and education comes in many forms, ranging from grant programs to tax provisions. This report provides a funding overview and brief background information on federal child care, early education, and related programs (and tax provisions).
Child Welfare: Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Benefits for Children in Foster Care: This report begins with a discussion of the foster care system and the Social Security benefits available to eligible children, including those in foster care. It then describes the role of representative payees and their responsibilities. The report provides data on the use of Social Security benefits to reimburse states for child welfare, and includes a discussion of the Keffeler decision. Finally, the report concludes with proposals supported by some advocates to change the current practice of using SSI and other Social Security benefits to fund foster care.
The Child Care and Development Block Grant: Background and Funding: This report discusses the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG), which provides subsidies to assist low-income families in obtaining child care so that parents can work or participate in education or training activities.
Characteristics of Children With and Without Health Insurance, 2009: This report examines the characteristics of insured and uninsured children in 2009 using data from the annual social and Economic supplement to the 2010 current population survey (CPS). It also points out the rate of uninsured children under 18 over the past 10 years.
Federal Financing for the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP): This report provides an overview of CHIP financing, beginning with an explanation of the federal matching rate. It describes various aspects of federal CHIP funding, such as the federal appropriation, state allotments, the CHILD Enrollment Contingency Fund etc.
Early Childhood Care and Education Programs: Background and Funding: Federal support for child care and education comes in many forms, ranging from grant programs to tax provisions. This report provides a funding overview and brief background information on federal child care, early education, and related programs (and tax provisions).
Runaway and Homeless Youth: Demographics and Programs: This report discusses the reauthorization of and appropriations for the Runaway and Homeless Youth Program; followed by an overview of the runaway and homeless youth population. The report describes the challenges in defining and counting the runaway and homeless youth population, as well as the factors that influence homelessness and leaving home.
The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Block Grant: An Overview: This report provides a nontechnical introduction to the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant. The report briefly describes the history of cash assistance and how the "welfare reform" debates led to the creation of TANF; TANF financing; the TANF cash welfare programs and; other TANF benefits, services, and activities.
Child Welfare: Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Benefits for Children in Foster Care: This report begins with a discussion of the foster care system and the Social Security benefits available to eligible children, including those in foster care. It then describes the role of representative payees and their responsibilities. The report provides data on the use of Social Security benefits to reimburse states for child welfare, and includes a discussion of the Keffeler decision. Finally, the report concludes with proposals supported by some advocates to change the current practice of using SSI and other Social Security benefits to fund foster care.
Early Childhood Care and Education Programs: Background and Funding: This report begins with information on current and historical funding levels for a selection of early childhood care and education programs and tax provisions. Table 1 presents information on the FY2016 Obama Administration’s budget request for such programs, while Table 2 provides a six-year funding history (FY2010-FY2015) for these early childhood care and education programs and tax provisions. The funding section is followed by a series of program summaries.
Child Welfare: Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Benefits for Children in Foster Care: This report begins with a discussion of the foster care system and the Social Security benefits available to eligible children, including those in foster care. It then describes the role of representative payees and their responsibilities. The report provides data on the use of Social Security benefits to reimburse states for child welfare, and includes a discussion of the Keffeler decision. Finally, the report concludes with proposals supported by some advocates to change the current practice of using SSI and other Social Security benefits to fund foster care.
State Children’s Health Insurance Program: An Overview: This report describes the basic elements of CHIP, focusing on how the program is designed, who is eligible, what services are covered, how enrollees share in the cost of care, and how the program is financed. The report ends with a brief discussion of the future of CHIP.
Early Childhood Care and Education Programs: Background and Funding: Several federal programs support child care, education, or related services, primarily for low-income working families. In addition, the tax code includes provisions specifically targeted to assist families with child care expenses. This report includes an update on FY2010 funding developments and the status of FY2009 appropriations in the early childhood care and education arena. This report also provides a six-year funding history and brief descriptions of the various related programs and tax provisions.
Education for Homeless Children and Youth: Program Overview and Legislation: This report provides an overview of the purpose and program structure of EHCY.
Unaccompanied Alien Children: An Overview: This report opens with an analysis of recent unaccompanied alien children (UAC) apprehension data. It then discusses current policy on the treatment, care, and custody of the population, with a description of the responsibilities of each federal agency involved with the population. The report then discusses both administrative and congressional actions to deal with the UAC surge in FY2014 and ongoing action to address possible future surges.
Missing and Exploited Children: Background, Policies, and Issues: This report covers only select aspects of the broader topic of missing and exploited children. It begins with an overview of the scope of the missing and exploited children issue, including definitions and approximate numbers of children known to be missing or exploited. The report also provides information about the Missing and Exploited Children's (MEC) program's funding, oversight, and major components. Finally, the report discusses issues that may be relevant to the MEC program.
The National Commission on Children and Disasters: Overview and Issues: This report discusses The National Commission on Children and Disasters whose purpose is to assess the needs of children in the preparation for, response to, and recovery from natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters.
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Issues in the U.S. Ratification Debate: This report discusses the United Nations Convention on the rights of persons with disabilities; its purpose is to promote, protect, and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by persons with disabilities.
Unaccompanied Children from Central America: Foreign Policy Considerations: This report examines policy considerations for Congress in response to the recent influx of unaccompanied alien children (UAC) from Central American countries being apprehended at the U.S. border. The report also discusses current policy framework and the Obama Administration's diplomatic response.
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child: Background and Policy Issues: The Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) is an international treaty that addresses the rights of children worldwide. It calls on States Parties to take all appropriate measures to ensure that children receive special rights, including the right to a name and nationality; access to healthcare, education, and parental care; and protection from exploitation, abuse, and neglect. This report provides a brief history of the Convention and outlines its objectives and structure, including the role and responsibilities of the treaty's monitoring body, the Committee on the Rights of the Child. It examines U.S. policy toward CRC, including the positions of past and current Administrations and congressional perspectives. The report also addresses selected policy issues that the 111th Congress may wish to take into account if considering ratification of CRC-- including the treaty's possible impact on U.S. sovereignty, federal and state laws, and parental rights. Other issues for possible consideration include the effectiveness of the Convention in protecting children's rights, and its role as a U.S. foreign policy instrument.
Child Welfare and Child Support: The Preventing Sex Trafficking and Strengthening Families Act (P.L. 113-183): This report begins with an overview and topical summary of the provisions of the Preventing Sex Trafficking and Strengthening Families Act (H.R. 4980), which seeks to ensure that child welfare agencies are responsive to particular issues for children and youth in foster care or those who otherwise have contact with the child welfare system. The report follows this with a review of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) cost estimate for H.R. 4980 and the legislative origins of the enacted bill.
The Millennium Development Goals: The September 2010 U.N. High-level Meeting: This report discusses overarching trends in Millennium Development Goals (MDG) progress and lessons learned from previous and ongoing efforts to achieve them. The MDGs are a group of measurable development targets agreed to by 189 U.N. member states - including the United States - as part of the 2000 Millennium Declaration. The MDGs cover a number of issues, such as eradicating extreme hunger and poverty, combating HIV/AIDS, and promoting gender equality and women's empowerment. This report examines U.S. policy toward the MDGs and how, if at all, the Goals fit into U.S. development and foreign assistance policy. It also examines different schools of thought regarding the effectiveness of the Goals, their role in international development, and their long-term sustainability. This report addresses the MDGs as a whole; it does not assess or analyze issues pertaining to the individual Goals.
Runaway and Homeless Youth Act: Current Issues for Reauthorization: This report discusses the Runaway and Homeless Youth program, which is authorized by the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act, and funds organizations throughout the country to provide services to youth who have run away and/or experience homelessness.
Child Support Enforcement: Program Basics: This report discusses the Child Support Enforcement (CSE) program that was enacted in 1975 as a federal-state program (Title IV-D of the Social Security Act) to help strengthen families by securing financial support for children from their noncustodial parent on a consistent and continuing basis and by helping some families to remain self-sufficient and off public assistance by providing the requisite CSE services.
Federal Elementary and Secondary Education Programs and Unaccompanied Alien Children: This report addresses possible sources of federal support for schools and local educational agencies that have enrolled unaccompanied alien children.
Unaccompanied Alien Children--Legal Issues: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions: This report addresses the questions regarding the number of children arriving at the United States southern border, their reasons for coming to the United States, and current and potential responses of the federal government and other entities to their arrival
Unaccompanied Alien Children: An Overview: This report opens with an analysis of the data of the recent surge in UAC crossing the border. It then discusses current policy on the treatment, care, and custody of the population. The processing and treatment of UAC is detailed, with a discussion of each agency that is involved with the population. The report then discusses both Administrative and Congressional action to deal with the current crisis. As this issue is still emerging, the report concludes with a series of questions related to UAC that remain unanswered.
Unaccompanied Children from Central America: Foreign Policy Considerations: This report examines policy considerations for Congress in response to the recent influx of unaccompanied alien children (UAC) from Central American countries being apprehended at the U.S. border. The report also discusses current policy framework and the Obama Administration's diplomatic response.
The Child Tax Credit: Current Law and Legislative History: This report provides an overview of the child tax credit under current law, as well as a legislative history of this tax benefit, which helps explain its purpose and current structure.
Special Immigrant Juveniles: In Brief: This report provides a brief explanation of the statutory basis of special immigrant juvenile (SIJ) status and how it has evolved. It also presents statistics on the number of children who have applied for and received SIJ status since FY2005. The report concludes with a discussion of the applicability of SIJ status for unaccompanied alien children.

Congressional Research Service Reports - 74 Matching Results

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