No evidence of child abuse surge amid pandemic, HHS leaders say By Associated Press | January 14, 2021 at 5:07 PM CST - Updated January 14 at 5:07 PM
NEW YORK (AP) Top officials overseeing child welfare at the Department of Health and Human Services say they’ve seen no solid evidence to bear out warnings that serious forms of child abuse would surge during the coronavirus pandemic.
Lynn Johnson, HHS assistant secretary for children and families, and Jerry Milner, associate commissioner of HHS’ Children’s Bureau, spoke with The Associated Press on Thursday, shortly before they leave their jobs amid the change in administrations.
Back in March, when COVID-19 forced schools to close and many children to be locked down in households buffeted by job losses, many child-welfare experts warned of a likely surge of child abuse perpetrated by harried parents and other caretakers.
Over the summer, the Department of Health and Human Services issued a rule allowing health insurers to implement "accumulator adjustment programs," which allow insurers to effectively double charge
The report found that leadership failed to prepare to implement the policy or manage the fallout, which resulted in more than 3,000 family separations and caused lasting emotional damage to children who were taken from their parents at the border.
Ninth grade
Tenth gradeÂ
Dawson Behl is the son of Danny and LaRhonda Behl. He competes in the HHS swim team. Dawson s motivation for success in school is: the feeling of guilt if I get bad grades. He has been swimming for nine years and is a member of the jazz band. Dawson s hobbies are swimming and band. His future goals are to work at NASA or make Olympic Trials.Â
Eleventh grade
Callie Christine Wright is the daughter of Christy and Brian Wright. She is a member of the National Honor Society and the Pre-Med Club. Callie competes in the HHS swim team. She has been named to the A Honor Roll and has received the student of the month award. Callie s motivation for success in school is working hard to have a successful future. She has one sister and two dogs. Callie s hobbies are traveling, swimming and being with family and friends. Her future goals are to attend college at Mizzou and major in nursing.Â