Childrens Issues

Congressman Payne Advocates on behalf of Children and Families

As a strong supporter of child welfare services and youth development, Congressman Payne continues to push for increased funding for the following key legislative measures.

Child Care Development Block Grant (CCDBG).  The Child Care Development Block Grant provides funds to States to subsidize the cost of childcare for low-income families.  Under the legislation, States set eligibility requirements within federal parameters, reimbursement rates, and quality standards and administer the program.  Congressman Payne recognizes that childcare assistance is critical to allow mothers to find and secure employment.

Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF).  Reauthorization of the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families Block Grant, which seeks to reduce child and family poverty, remains a top priority for the House Education and the Workforce Committee.  As states continue to move families off the welfare rolls, many families continue to live along the poverty line.  The challenge is enacting welfare reform legislation that seeks to reduce poverty and address the basic needs of all low-income households in our nation.

The Act to Leave No Child Behind (H.R. 1).  The goal of this bi-partisan bill was to narrow the educational achievement gap between the poor and disadvantaged students and their more affluent peers, and between minority and non-minority students.  As the bill moved through the legislative process, we were able to make significant improvements from the original version of H.R. 1 thus passing an important piece of domestic policy.

Immunizations.  Research suggests that childhood vaccinations are one of the most successful and cost-effective public health interventions.  The increasing number of safe and effective vaccines has drastically reduced or eliminated the burden of many devastating illnesses including measles, tetanus, and polio and improved the health status of millions of children.

Recognizing the need for increases in vaccination rates, the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program was established.  The VFC allows the federal government to buy vaccines at a discount and distribute them to states, which then distribute them free to private physician's offices and public clinics to administer to children who are uninsured or enrolled in Medicaid, as well as to Native American and Alaskan Native children.

For more information regarding children please visit the following websites:

Children's Defense Fund (The voice for all the children of America)
Child Welfare League of America (Making Children a National Priority)

Your concerns and opinions about issues that impact you and your community are very important to me.  Please feel free to contact my office with any questions or concerns.