MCCA Board Chair Elected to National Network for Youth…

We would like to congratulate Pat Holterman-Hommes, MCCA’s Board Chair, on her election to the board of National Network for Youth.  Her commitment to vulnerable and disenfranchised youth, coupled with her leadership and vision, will serve NN4Y well.  The National Network for Youth (NN4Y) has been a public education and policy advocacy organization dedicated to the prevention and eradication of youth homelessness in America for over 40 years.  NN4Y mobilizes over 300 members and affiliates–organizations that work on the front lines every day to provide prevention services and respond to runaways and youth experiencing homelessness and human trafficking.

In 2013, Ms. Holterman-Hommes became the fourth President and CEO in Youth In Need’s history; she has been a key staff member of Youth In Need since 1990, serving most recently as Chief Program Officer prior to being appointed CEO.   Ms. Holterman-Hommes also serves on the boards of National Safe Place Network and the Community Council of St. Charles County.

Congratulations!

Update: Vote to cut children’s health program fails vote…

By a slim 50-48 margin (with two members not voting), the U.S. Senate blocked a proposal by the Trump Administration to cut $15.4 billion out of the $1.3 trillion federal spending bill Congress passed in February. The administration request called for about half – $7 billion – of the requested cut from funds earmarked for the Children’s Health Insurance Program, or CHIP.

The president’s proposal used a rare policy tool called “rescission”, which calls for funds earmarked for a purpose to not be spent by the government. Presidents rarely submit rescission proposals – the last one to do so was Bill Clinton.

Of the $7 billion in cuts to CHIP appropriations, approximately $2 billion had been set aside for the Child Enrollment Contingency Fund, which protects children in cases when their state of residence runs out of money for CHIP coverage.

The vote in the Senate fell mostly along party lines, with Republicans mostly in support and Democrats opposed. There were, however, two Republican defections: Senators Susan Collins of Maine and Richard Burr of North Carolina.

Opinion: What Will Change in Governor Mean for Missouri…

Less than twenty-four hours after Governor Eric Greitens announced his resignation, effective June 1, many Missourians are asking, “What now and what does this mean?”  As child and family advocates coming off of what has clearly been one of the better legislative years for our most vulnerable children, we have reflected on this as well.   Our conclusion:  the work will move forward and we are in good shape.

During the Governor’s tenure, the First Lady, Dr. Sheena Greitens, worked tirelessly on behalf of Missouri’s children in foster care, and put a spotlight on both their pain and our opportunity and obligation to do better by them.  We are grateful to her.  We take heart, however, in how our legislators and community-based partners also led in this effort and gave voice to the work of improving the lives of our most vulnerable children.   Capitalizing on this singleness of purpose and resulting momentum, Missouri made important strides to advance child safety, health and education, and support opportunity for normalcy and permanent families.   Helping our most at-risk children brings Missourians together like few other issues can, and a change in administrations will not change this fact.

Missouri is also fortunate that Lt. Governor Mike Parson, who will be sworn in as Governor June 1, shares this strong commitment to Missouri children and families.  We are confident that the partnerships and cooperation that made 2018 successful will continue, and look forward to supporting the incoming administration in any way we can to protect and serve our most vulnerable.