Children’s Health and Healing
Promise
All young people enjoy regular, nourishing meals and active lives,
marked by positive social adjustment, sustainable environments, and
healthcare homes for their bodies and minds.
Problem
10.7 million young people live in food-insecure households. In 2021,
more than 4 in 10 (42%) students felt persistently sad or hopeless and nearly one-third (29%) experienced poor mental health. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, in 2019, 4.4 million children were uninsured in the United States.
Policy Path
In this zone, CDF will advocate for public policy related to: (1) Child Nutrition and Food Security, (2) Youth Mental Health and Social Emotional Wellness, (3) Healthcare coverage, and (4) Environmental justice.
Moonshot Generational Commitment
Ensure permanent, universal free school meals and children’s physical and mental health coverage.
Learn MoreRelated Updates
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Voting Rights Are Children’s Rights
Voting rights shape children’s futures. Learn why fair representation matters and how adults can protect children’s voices in our democracy.…
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For Our Children: Shaping “Good Mornings” for our Children
Good mornings start with what we do today, so how you can take action to shape a brighter future for our children? Read the September issue of For Our Children to learn the latest on what’s at stake for children’s rights including threats to Head Start, upcoming events like our American Youth Policy Forum, and how you can vote for your children and with your children this November.…
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For Our Children: It’s Time to Go Back to School
(August 31, 2026) – Protect education and stand up for every child’s right to learn, grow, and thrive.…
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For Our Children: The Conditions Our Children Inherit
July 31, 2026 – As a new school year begins, children are returning to classrooms while facing growing challenges, from hunger and health care cuts to mental health needs and educational inequities. Explore why this moment calls for renewed commitment to every child’s well-being.…