Tuesday, May 12, 2026
1:00 - 2:00 p.m. CT

Various kinds of insurance are costing more for individuals and organizations across sectors, but child welfare providers across the United States are facing urgent challenges accessing adequate and affordable liability insurance, putting the availability of the continuum of child and family services and supports at risk. Many providers maintain excellent safety records and have no claims history, yet they face untenable costs and reduced access to necessary coverage. A 2025 national survey of 327 community providers across 46 states revealed that insurance companies are drastically increasing premiums or exiting the market altogether, refusing to cover providers who do child welfare-related work as part of a public-private partnership providing services required and necessary under state and federal law. Despite efforts to address the issue at the state level, the child welfare liability insurance crisis remains widespread and the trajectory is unsustainable.  

The National Child and Family Services Liability Insurance Working Group is taking collective and coordinated federal action to address the urgent challenge in liability insurance coverage for community-based organizations serving children and families. In the FY26 Labor-HHS appropriations package, Congress directed the HHS Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation to conduct a review and provide a report on the availability and affordability of professional liability insurance for child welfare providers, including recommended state and federal solutions. As Congress and the Administration consider policy solutions, we have received requests to hear more from the perspective of insurance experts regarding what has changed in the market. In this 60-minute briefing, including Q&A, a leading insurance broker will shed light on the key changes in the last five years that have contributed to the crisis in the insurance marketplace to help inform potential legislative reforms.