Watson Coleman, Stevens Introduce Resolution Calling on Federal Government to Support Children of Victims of COVID-19

Washington, DC (March 7, 2022) – Today, Congresswomen Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) and Haley Stevens (MI-11) introduced a resolution recognizing the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic on children who have lost caregivers and calling on the Federal Government to identify services and resources that can be used to assist them.  

It is estimated that over 200,000 children in the United States have lost a primary caregiver to COVID-19. Under normal circumstances, children who lose a caregiver are more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety, have lower academic attainment, and increased rates of drug and alcohol abuse. It’s also associated with increased risky sexual behavior and violence. During the pandemic, access to resources has become more difficult as schools have been closed and face-to-face counseling has been limited. Studies have demonstrated that intervention and support groups can prevent children from developing many severe problems after the loss of a parent.  

“While Congress was successful in allocating robust resources to combat the pandemic, very little has been done to acknowledge the hundreds of thousands of American children who tragically lost a caregiver due to COVID-19, the majority under age 13,” said Rep. Stevens. “Children in minority communities have been disproportionately impacted by the loss of a caregiver, putting them at greater risk for substance abuse disorders, mental illness, housing instability and lower rates of academic attainment. The impacts of this corresponding health crisis in our nation’s young people cannot be ignored. Today, we recognize the outsized impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our bereaved children and commit to identifying and prioritizing their unique needs.”