[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 191 (Wednesday, October 6, 2021)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 55473-55474]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-21956]
Presidential Documents
Federal Register / Vol. 86 , No. 191 / Wednesday, October 6, 2021 /
Presidential Documents
[[Page 55473]]
Proclamation 10277 of October 1, 2021
Child Health Day, 2021
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
Nothing is more vital to our country's future than our
children's health and well-being. Each year on Child
Health Day, we reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that
every child in America has equal access to quality and
affordable health care, child care, and education so
that they can thrive and reach their full potential.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound negative
impact on the health and well-being of our Nation's
children. A year of isolation from friends, extended
family, and daily activities due to school closures and
remote learning, as well as the loss of loved ones to
the pandemic, has taken a tremendous toll on their
mental health--and caused significant learning loss
that may never be fully redressed. Families are also
finding it harder to support their children during the
pandemic, with many struggling to pay for expenses such
as food, rent, health care, and transportation. And as
scientists rigorously and independently review COVID-19
vaccines for children under age 12, too many of our
kids returning to school--and the families they return
to at the end of each school day--face unnecessary
risks because there are not universal masking policies.
We owe it to our children to do everything in our power
to support their safe and healthy development. Because
our Nation's schools play a critical role in
safeguarding our children's health and well-being, my
Administration has made it a top priority to ensure
that all students can access full-time, in-person
instruction so that they can achieve their highest
aspirations. My American Rescue Plan continues to
deliver for schools--including $130 billion to ensure
that every child can safely access full-time, in-person
instruction and that schools can mitigate the risk of
COVID-19 in the classroom. My Administration is
committed to supporting school-based health programs,
which is why my American Rescue Plan also provides
States and school districts with billions of dollars
for schools to bring on additional nurses, counselors,
social workers, and more to address student needs,
allowing teachers to stay focused on teaching. To
further support children's success in school, I
strongly encourage families to visit their pediatric
providers for well-child visits and immunizations--
including the COVID-19 vaccine for children age 12 and
up.
My American Rescue Plan is also delivering critical
resources to address the mental health needs of
children, including $1.5 billion to support the
Community Mental Health Services Block Grant, which
provides much needed services to children with serious
emotional disturbances. The law also provides $20
million to support youth suicide prevention and $30
million to expand Project AWARE, which supports
wellness and resiliency programs in educational
settings. It has invested $80 million to expand the
Pediatric Mental Health Care Access Program, which
provides telehealth services for children and
adolescents with mental health conditions identified
during routine visits, making mental health care more
accessible nationwide, including for young people in
Tribal and remote areas.
Additionally, the American Rescue Plan continues to
deliver pandemic relief to families through a $150
million investment in the Maternal, Infant, and
[[Page 55474]]
Early Childhood Home Visiting Program to improve
maternal and child health. The law also provides
funding to support families with essential emergency
supplies, including diapers, food, water, and hand
sanitizer. Finally, the American Rescue Plan is
lowering health insurance premiums for millions of
Americans--positioning us to cut child poverty in
America by nearly half.
We need to invest in the healthy development of all our
children--and that means helping parents with the costs
of raising a family. That is why my Administration
worked hard to expand the Child Tax Credit, which is
putting money directly in the pockets of families with
children each month to help pay for food, rent, a new
pair of kids' shoes, or whatever else working parents
need.
On Child Heath Day, we recommit ourselves to ensuring
that our children can live long and healthy lives.
Together, we can help all of our Nation's children stay
healthy and learn, develop, and grow up to reach their
full potential.
The Congress, by a joint resolution approved May 18,
1928, as amended (36 U.S.C. 105), has called for the
designation of the first Monday in October as Child
Health Day and has requested that the President issue a
proclamation in observance of this day.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of
the United States of America, by the virtue of the
authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws
of the United States, do hereby proclaim Monday,
October 4, 2021, as Child Health Day. I call upon
families, child health professionals, faith-based and
community organizations, and governments to help ensure
that America's children stay safe and healthy.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
first day of October, in the year of our Lord two
thousand twenty-one, and of the Independence of the
United States of America the two hundred and forty-
sixth.
(Presidential Sig.)
[FR Doc. 2021-21956
Filed 10-5-21; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3395-F2-P