Through roundtables, engaging directly w/governors, human srvcs leaders, philanthropic & faith-based orgs, Lynn Johnson &
@FLOTUS
are working to support kids in
#fostercare
. This initiative is aimed at achieving permanency for kids waiting for placement.
Today, the president signed an Executive Order that strengthens families in their communities and promotes safety, permanency and well-being for America’s kids through partnerships, resources, & oversight. Get more info:
#childwelfare
President
@realDonaldTrump
is hard at work for all Americans—including the next generation.
Today,
@IvankaTrump
and
@SecAzar
will hold a roundtable in Kansas City to discuss improving child care for working families.
Details on their trip:
The White House has proclaimed January to be National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month and called on each of us to do our part to
#EndTrafficking
. Read more about it here:
Just In: HHS Acts to Support Increased Compensation for Early Childhood Educators and Announces $300 Million in New Early Childhood Funding
Learn more ->
All youth require a safe home and social support to mature and develop the skills needed to transition to adulthood. Use the resources on this page to improve your work with LGBTQ+ youth and families.
SAFETY ALERT: A nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System is scheduled for Wed, Oct 4. This test may pose a risk for individuals who have hidden devices due to abusive and/or other situations where their safety is at risk.
A7 Recently, a minor with a baby was identified as a victim of trafficking after being brought to a hospital by their trafficker. A healthcare worker called the National Human Trafficking Hotline, and now the minor and her child are receiving the help they need.
#HTAD2021
Q7. Can you give an example of an action a member of the general public took that directly contributed to the identification or recovery of a trafficking victim?
#HTAD2021
#HumanTraffickingAwarenessDay
Take care of yourself in one small way each day. The
#COVID
-19 pandemic may be stressful for people. Coping with stress in a healthy way will make you, the people you care about, and your community stronger.
At today's Birmingham, AL roundtable on improving access to high-quality
#childcare
, we heard from parents, state leaders & providers with goals to better support working families. One parent raised location concerns: "I live in a rural area & we don’t have a lot of options."
June is
#NationalPrideMonth
. LGBTQ+ youth are significantly overrepresented in
#RHY
populations compared with the general population. In fact, LGBTQ youth are more than twice as likely to experience
#homelessness
than non-LGBTQ peers.
@YouthdotGov
A2 Traffickers exploit children’s basic needs for food, housing, safety, love, and social connection. Stay engaged, ask questions, and look for opportunities to build protective factors to reduce their risk.
#HTAD2021
Q2. What strategies can parent’s, caregivers, and community members use to help prevent human trafficking and what can we do to better protect children online?
#HTAD2021
#HumanTraffickingAwarenessDay
Mental illnesses are disorders that can affect a person’s thinking, mood or behavior. These early warning signs and symptoms can help determine if you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health condition.
Learn more & get support:
#MIAW
Parents and children across the country are experiencing increased stress due to the pandemic. Learn the best way to talk to kids about
#COVID19
:
#HeadStartHeals
$15 billion in supplemental Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) grant funding can be used to prioritize increasing payment rates to child care providers and improving compensation of the child care workforce.
#ARPChildCare
Protective factors help families thrive. In honor of National Child Abuse Prevention Month, make the commitment to explore new ideas to strengthen children and families.
#ChildAbusePreventionMonth
#ThrivingFamilies
We are committed to improving young children's access to
#behavioralhealth
services. Check out our new
#earlychildhood
#mentalhealth
resource page with information for parents of young children and early childhood program staff!
Good news! ACF has invested $30 million in a new National Early Care and Education Workforce Center to support strategies that improve compensation and recruitment and retention for early childhood professionals.
A4 Both sex and labor trafficking are a significant issue in the US. We see children & youth who are trafficked by families, landlords, business owners, gangs, in romantic relationships, or in exchange for basic needs like food & shelter.
#HTAD2021
Many essential workers need to find safe
#childcare
arrangements while continuing to work. This tip sheet can help parents identify child care options during this unprecedented time: . Visit for more info.
Today is
#ChildTaxCredit
Awareness Day! Spread the word that
#HelpIsHere
. This simple credit will make a big difference to help families with children in meeting their basic needs. Families can go to to learn more about monthly payments.
Suicide is complicated and tragic, but it is often preventable. Knowing the warning signs for suicide and how to get help can help save lives. Learn about behaviors that may be a sign that someone is thinking about suicide.
@NIMHgov
#SPM22
The Office on Trafficking in Persons and
@OJPOVC
are hosting four listening sessions about child trafficking and exploitation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Register:
#EndTrafficking
#PreventionMatters
#IntimatePartnerViolence
(IPV) affects millions in the US each year. Promoting nonviolent,
#HealthyRelationships
can help reduce the occurrence of IPV and prevent its harmful, lasting effects. Learn more about IPV prevention strategies:
#DVAM
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, a time to recognize everyone's part in promoting the social and emotional well-being of children and families in our communities. Learn what you can do.
#NCAPM2019
March is
#SocialWorkMonth
! ACF salutes all the caring social workers who work to improve the lives of children, youth, families, and communities in need of support. Your dedication is valued and appreciated!
Today marks the 32nd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
On July 26th we honor the American Disabilities Act by continuing to support the rights of people with disabilities and our commitment to inclusion for all. See our recent work:
You’re never too old to need a family, & there are thousands of teens in foster care who still need a sense of belonging. They'd love a place to go home to for holidays, or someone to call when they’ve had a rough day. Learn more on the
@AdoptUSKids
:
LGBTQ+ youth are disproportionately represented in child welfare & often face discrimination & mistreatment in out-of-home care.
@HRC
's “Caring for LGBTQ Children & Youth” guide offers child welfare providers tips on how to best care for and support them.
Self-care is important! Take care of yourself in one small way each day. The
#COVID
-19 pandemic may be stressful for people. Coping with stress in a healthy way will make you, the people you care about, and your community stronger.
Safe and affordable child care is a necessity for essential workers and families eager to get back to the workplace. connects parents to state-specific resources to help them find & pay for child care during the
#COVID19
pandemic.
National Human Trafficking Awareness Day is today.
Are you wearing blue? If so, post your selfies on social media using the hashtag
#WearBlueDay
.
The Blue Campaign by
@DHSBlueCampaign
is the largest initiative to raise awareness about human trafficking.
The ECD office is excited to announce nearly $300 million in Preschool Development Grants Birth through Five awarded to 42 states! This funding will support early childhood system building efforts to improve services for children and families. Learn more:
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. The most important thing we can do to help children thrive is to support families before they reach a crisis. Learn more about how to prevent child abuse & neglect:
#NCAPM
#ThrivingFamilies
Join
@SAMHSAgov
on 9/30 for a
#RecoveryMonth
virtual event titled “Young Adults in Recovery — Making Small Choices, Every Day.”
This event will highlight the journeys of those who found the courage to seek recovery support.
Watch on
Today is National Day of Human Trafficking Awareness. How are you taking action in your community? Share what you’re doing using
#EndTrafficking
.
#WearBlueDay
Loving and nurturing fathers can help children be happy and better prepared for social and academic success. Explore how Head Start programs can honor and acknowledge the important things that
#fathers
have to offer:
Honor
#NativeAmericanHeritageMonth
by listening to the new podcast series from the Center for Tribes, "Reclaiming the Child Welfare Narrative." Hear discussions about building tribal child welfare programs that reflect Indigenous culture and worldviews.
The holiday season can be stressful even without COVID-19. Though your holiday plans may look and feel different this year, here are a few ways to cope with holiday stresses with your health and the health of your loved ones in mind.
For Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the equation “Awareness + Action = Social Change” is a call to communities to be an active part of ending gender-based violence. We all have a role to promote safe, healthy, and thriving environments for all.
Human Trafficking is scary and often involves the people most vulnerable in our communities. If you believe you may have information about a trafficking situation, PLEASE call: 1-888-373-7888 or Text: 233733.
#HumanTrafficking
#NationalHumanTraffickingPreventionMonth
Today the Office of
#ChildCare
at
@HHSGov
@ACFHHS
released guidance for states, territories, and tribes on how they can use the nearly $15 billion in supplemental CCDBG funds provided by the
#ARP
Act to support children, families, and child care providers.
Exciting News! The highly competitive leadership opportunity for local Head Start program staff and the early childhood sector provides an opportunity to gain first-hand national policy experience by working in ACF’s DC office for one year.
Learn more:
Tomorrow is
#wearorangeday
! Wear orange tomorrow to show solidarity & raise awareness about dating violence. Then share your selfie in your orange with us using
#beaboutit
.
#TDVAM23
The
#AmericanRescuePlan
helped:
✔️ Lower child care costs for families
✔️ Keep child care programs open
✔️ Families pay their water bills
✔️ Head Start programs improve facilities
✔️ Tribes preserve languages and history
See other critical investments:
The StrongHearts Native Helpline is a safe, Indigenous space for American Indian and Alaska Native survivors to share their stories. If you're being hurt in your relationship, call StrongHearts at 1-844-7NATIVE (762-8483) for confidential support.
#DVAM2019
#StrongHeartsDV
#DadToBe
tip: Pregnancy and birth can be a lot to handle, especially for first-timers. Make sure your partner knows she can talk with you about all the changes she's going through. Be supportive, join her for dr. appointments, and find ways to have fun together.
#fatherhood365
We recently held a webinar w/
@usedgov
on the public service loan forgiveness limited waiver. These resources are designed to help Early Childhood Educators access the
#PSLF
program. Check it out & consider applying before the October 31, 2022 deadline.
Today is
#WorldMentalHealthDay
. Remember to be kind to your mind. Do more of what makes you happy. And most importantly, you are not alone on this journey.
On
#WorldWaterDay
, ACF is highlighting
#LIHWAP
, the first ever federal water assistance program. More than 85,000 households have received help with their water and sewer bills so far – and that number is growing, thanks to historic funding from the
#AmericanRescuePlan
.
Today,
@HHSgov
announced its Language Access Plan which helps ensure that everyone has equal access to healthcare and social services. Learn more about how HHS is breaking language barriers:
January is Human Trafficking Prevention Month! To prevent human trafficking, we must
work together to strengthen individuals, families, and communities. Explore resources,
events and learn how to get involved.
#Partner2Prevent
If you or someone you know has experienced human trafficking, help is available. Contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline for free, confidential help, 24/7. Call: 1-888-373-7888; Text: HELP to 233733 (BEFREE); or Chat:
#EndTrafficking
#Parents
: Try these strategies to get the support you need to help your child learn at home. Stay in touch with your child’s school. Create a schedule. Engage in creative learning opportunities. More
#COVID19
learning tips: via
@CDCgov
This
#NativeAmericanHeritageMonth
, we celebrate the history and traditions of Indigenous people.
Learn more about the culture:
• Read books about the Native American history
• Check out contemporary Native art
• Follow Native content creators
Over 2 million Americans don't have access to safe and reliable water and wastewater services, making their homes unsafe to live in. And water costs are on the rise. The Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program, or LIHWAP, can help. To get help, visit
Men and boys who are at-risk to or experiencing
#HumanTrafficking
are often overlooked and under resourced. This Men’s Health Month, we encourage you to consider how you can address the unique risk factors and service needs experienced by boys and men.
Whether it’s an online support group, taking a quiet moment to reenergize, or learning about child development, these steps—also known as protective factors—can act as an umbrella to keep away the rain. How do you keep your family strong?
Everyone should feel safe in their home. If you are in danger or need someone to talk to about
#domesticviolence
,
@ndvh
can connect you with resources today:
According to an
@ACFHHS
/
@FYSBgov
study, one of the top three reasons for youth becoming homeless was due to physical abuse. Without a safe environment to call home, youth may be forced to live on the streets. Help end youth homelessness.
#NRPM2022
Foster care should be a support system for families in need, not a substitute for parents. Child welfare agencies, courts, and related professionals can help keep families together w/ the right mix of support services and partnerships. Learn more: