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State and Federal Policymakers Tackle Runaway Laws |
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The New York Times has revealed, in a series of articles, a worsening trend in mismanagement of police data, loss of funding for programs, adults competing for jobs typically held by teenagers, and families failing to report runaways. In a typical case, children as young as 12 wind up homeless due to family distress. If the runaway is reported, police may or may not comply with federal law requiring the minors' information be entered in the National Crime Information Center Database within two hours. Once on the streets, runaways spend most of their time searching for safe shelter where they can avoid or at least fight off predators. Some are courted into a life of illegal drug distribution or prostitution, others find help from outreach programs, many return home to their families.
Regardless of the outcome, the reality that 1.6 million juveniles run away or are thrown out each year commands that a better political strategy be developed for addressing the need for prevention and intervention for runaway minors.
There are many initiatives being undertaken throughout the country to improve runaway laws, including:
Runaway Improvement Act of 2009
H. R. 4129-To amend the Crime Control Act of 1990 to require certification of State and law enforcement agency reports related to missing children and to require that certain information be provided to individuals reporting a missing child, and for other purposes. A similar bill is slated in the Senate.
Trafficking Deterrence and Victims Support Act of 2009
S. 2925- Create block grants worth $2.5 million annually, renewable for two more years, that would be allocated to six pilot programs to provide shelter and services like drug treatment, counseling and job training for teenagers seeking to escape prostitution.
Connecticut, Hawaii, New York, Pennsylvania and North Dakota are considering bills to improve tracking and services for runaways and minors who are victims of sex trafficking. Washington and Iowa are considering bills to lengthen the time before welfare workers are required to report a child missing. Illinois and Rhode Island have passed laws, and Massachusetts has proposed one raising penalties for involvement in the sex trafficking of minors.
The National Conference of State Legislatures began drafting policy guidelines for model legislation on runaways in November to distribute to state lawmakers around the country.
The American Bar Association has also begun changing its policy guidelines so that it can lobby Congress for increased financing for tracking runaways and providing them with social services. Association leaders say they hope to urge Congress to pass a law preventing minors from being charged with a crime — prostitution — that they are too young to consent to.
Read the New York Times Article here.
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10-year anniversary of the John H. Chaffee Independent Living Act |
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In an event described by some as a home coming, Senators
Landrieu (R-IA) and Landrieu (D-LA) joined advocates, staffers, and
foster youth to reflect on the legislation that changed the paradigm of
child welfare.
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Senate Ends Health Care Debate - To Vote This Week |
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Yesterday morning, the United States Senate voted 60-40 to end debate on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, the health care reform bill that Congress has been crafting through most of 2009. Every Child Matters Education Fund urges Senators to support this important and historic piece of legislation when they vote on it later this week. Specifically for children, the bill will:
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Increasing autism rates demand health insurance for every child |
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According to a report released by the federal government, one in 110 American children have some form of autism. This number shows a 57% increase in cases since 2002, when the government began quantifying autism, indicating that cases of autism are on the rise. The research also suggests that autism occurs more frequently in boys than in girls.
Health coverage for every child, including the mentally disabled and including coverage for mental health, is a must for health care reform. In fact, covering children would provide many economic benefits for the United States. A study in Montana shows that the state would receive a positive economic payback of more than $2.50 for every state dollar spent on insuring every child.
For more information, please visit the CDC's Autism Spectrum Disorders page.
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Help protect children and get a free 'Step Up for Kids' shirt |
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The nation's system of child protection is
stretched too thin. Our recent report "We Can Do Better" shows that
more than 10,000 children died from abuse and neglect between
2001-2007.
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