In these challenging economic times, current budget constraints demand that every opportunity to leverage existing knowledge and resources are pursued to ensure that children have what they need to thrive. CHSA collaborates and shares resources with legislators, government agencies, and social service organizations to advance public policy and laws that benefit children and reduce welfare costs to taxpayers. CHSA advocates are making innovative changes in the administration of services and funds in the child welfare system, which will help more children live in healthy, stable, and loving homes.

Strategic Advocacy that Works

CHSA advocates ensure that laws, policies, and programs work for children. They collaborate with community organizations, federal and state social service agencies, and lawmakers to pass legislation that gives every child an opportunity for a safe and healthy childhood. They're working across the country to transform child welfare into a more effective, efficient system that benefits children, families, and taxpayers.

For example, advocates from many agencies, such as Children's Home Society of Washington, are working with legislators to apply for a 'flexible fund waiver' (or Title IV-E waiver) for their state. The waiver puts fewer restrictions on how states spends federal funds on foster care. Under the existing system, the state is reimbursed for the number of children that enter foster care - so the state makes more money when more children are in the system.

Prevention is more effective and less expensive for all. With flexible funding, revenue can be spent on prevention and early intervention services, which will keep more children at home with their families and free from crisis situations. Children's Home Society of Florida has used this model successfully for the past few years.