Kaine Pushes For Emergency Funding To Protect Children From Abuse

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine joined Senators Bob Casey, Doug Jones, Ron Wyden, Kamala Harris, and Sherrod Brown to release a draft of the Emergency Funding for Child Protection Act, legislation that would provide $500 million in emergency funds for local child protective services and $1 million for community-based child abuse prevention programs. As children and families are staying at home to limit the spread of COVID-19, children who are vulnerable to abuse are at particular risk during the national emergency. As a result, local child protective services and non-profits that prevent child abuse face challenges in continuing home visits or setting up the technology to do virtual visits during the pandemic. This bill would provide swift, flexible funding to allow them to bolster their efforts.

“As COVID-19 has forced schools and daycares across the country to close, Congress has to do more to make sure children at risk of abuse are still supported,” Kaine said. “This legislation will strengthen efforts by child protective services and non-profits to prevent abuse and protect children who are at risk.”

The Emergency Funding for Child Protection Act would strengthen systems put in place by the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA). CAPTA provides funding to states to improve child protective services and funds community-based activities that stop child abuse and neglect before it happens. Last month, Senator Kaine signed onto a letter to Senate leadership pushing for vital resources for the child welfare system that support vulnerable children and families suffering from abuse and neglect during the COVID-19 pandemic.   

Read the Emergency Funding for Child Protection Act here.

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