Today, the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Subcommittee on Children and Families held their final hearing on “The State of the American Child.” At the hearing, Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), the Chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Children and Families, and Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), announced their plan to introduce the Children’s Act of 2010, legislation that would establish a National Council on Children to function as a federal entity and annually assess the health, education, and overall well-being of our children. Additionally, the National Council on Children will set national goals and make recommendations to Congress as to how to improve the well-being of children in America.
In 1991, a former National Commission on Children approved a blueprint for national policy to benefit America’s children and families. In response, Congress and the President expanded the Earned Income Tax Credit, and established the State Children’s Health Insurance Program. The goal this new National Council on Children would be to catalyze the next generation of ground breaking policies for children and families.
As Senator Dodd eloquently noted, “What we have learned is that our children are in crisis. It is critical that we create a new national council on children to closely examine the needs of children and identify solutions to improve their lives.”
We couldn’t agree with the Chairman more. First Focus looks forward to the bill’s reintroduction in the 112th Congress.