John Kelly, The Imprint Journalist Profile

Articles

Tennessee Sued Again Over Foster Care Conditions

2 weeks ago | imprintnews.org | John Kelly

In 2019, a federal judge permitted Tennessee’s Department of Children’s Services to exit court oversight stemming from a class-action lawsuit called Brian A. that had been filed nearly two decades before. Six years later, litigators are again suing the state agency, saying it regressed rapidly after the lawsuit ended. “It is very troubling that Tennessee turned its back on protecting children after the Brian A.
Justice Department Is Terminating Grants

1 month ago | imprintnews.org | John Kelly

UPDATE: This story has been updated to include a reply from the Justice Department. The division of the Justice Department that oversees juvenile justice programs and funds has terminated grants that “no longer support the Department’s priorities,” according to an email to staff obtained by Youth Services Insider. There is no indication in the email — or in any public announcement by the Justice Department — of which of hundreds of grants this action applies to.
Leaked Budget Hacks at Safety Net, Leaves Child Welfare Alone

1 month ago | imprintnews.org | John Kelly

We have yet to see a full budget request from President Donald Trump; if his first term requests are any indication, his fiscal 2026 ask will include a healthy amount of spending cuts across government. But a leaked document with details on plans for the Department of Health and Human Services portends far larger hacks into federal spending, including the elimination of major human services programs. You can click here to see the outline.
The Acting Leaders on Child Welfare, Youth Justice

Feb 25, 2025 | imprintnews.org | John Kelly

A month into the second term of Donald Trump, the top jobs at the Department of Justice and Health and Human Services have been filled by Pam Bondi and Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Soon enough, we will start to see names announced for the leadership positions more specific to child welfare and youth justice.
Riya Saha Shah Named New CEO of Juvenile Law Center

Jan 7, 2025 | imprintnews.org | John Kelly

In 2005, Riya Saha Shah started her legal career as a fellow with the Philadelphia-based Juvenile Law Center, a venerated 50-year-old nonprofit litigation and advocacy group. Two decades later, she will lead the organization that gave her that start. Just before the new year, the center announced that Shah, its senior managing director, would succeed Sue Mangold this month.
House Ways and Means Introduces IV-B Reauthorization Package

Jul 24, 2024 | imprintnews.org | John Kelly

The leadership of the House Ways and Means Committee has unveiled a broad reauthorization of Title IV-B, a federal funding stream that contributes to an array of child welfare costs including family preservation, reunifications from foster care and post-adoption support.
LGBTQ Placements In, Conversion Therapy Out

May 6, 2024 | imprintnews.org | John Kelly

In the fall of 2023, the Biden administration released planned rulemaking around two issues in child welfare: legal representation for children and parents, and ensuring that LGBTQ+ youth in foster care have safe and supportive places to live.
Federal Report: Foster Care Total Dropped Again in 2022

Mar 20, 2024 | imprintnews.org | John Kelly

Two years after the COVID-19 pandemic began, the number of youth in foster care continues to decline, according to new federal data covering fiscal 2022. There were 368,530 youth in foster care in the 50 states, Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico in 2022, 6% fewer than 2021 and 16% fewer than 2018. The decline continues to be fueled by plummeting entries into care, which has more than made up for the fact that stays in foster care have grown longer and exits from the system have slowed.
Biden Proposes New Federal Data on ICWA Compliance

Feb 23, 2024 | imprintnews.org | John Kelly

The Biden administration announced plans to add new requirements for states to report on their compliance with the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), a decades-old law designed to maintain the bonds between Native children and their families and tribes. “This proposed change goes beyond just collecting data.
Bipartisan Bill Would Expand Federal Extended Foster Care Program

Feb 7, 2024 | imprintnews.org | John Kelly

Reps. Judy Chu (D-Calif.) and Erin Houchin (R-Ind.) have introduced a bill they hope will incentivize more states to expand foster care from age 18 to 21. Or more precisely, expand foster care with federal support. “Our goal is to provide vital support and services to young adults navigating the challenges of aging out of foster care,” said Rep. Houchin, who was a child welfare worker before getting into politics, in a statement announcing the bill.