Child Health

Statement from Marian Wright Edelman, President of the Children’s Defense Fund:

After two years of divisive, hateful rhetoric from the highest levels of government, the inhumane treatment of immigrant families, and the placing of corporate profits ahead of the basic needs of children, the results of yesterday’s election provide us a new opportunity to do better for children in the years ahead. Children are crying out for us to protect them from hunger and homelessness, from gun violence and bigotry, and from cruel detention at our borders. Now is our chance to prove we’ve heard them. Incumbents and new leaders alike must live up to the promises they made to America and its children on the campaign trail. No matter who holds the reins of power, we will fight for common sense and compassionate policies that will lift children out of poverty, protect them from gun violence and end the cradle-to-prison pipeline. And we will fight until every child in America can grow up safe, healthy and prepared for success.

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The Children’s Defense Fund (CDF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit child advocacy organization that has worked relentlessly for more than 40 years to ensure a level playing field for all children.

The Children’s Defense Fund Leave No Child Behind® mission is to ensure every child a Healthy Start, a Head Start, a Fair Start, a Safe Start and a Moral Start in life and successful passage to adulthood with the help of caring families and communities.

CDF provides a strong, effective and independent voice for all the children of America who cannot vote, lobby or speak for themselves. We pay particular attention to the needs of poor children, children of color and those with disabilities. CDF educates the nation about the needs of children and encourages preventive investments before they get sick, drop out of school, get into trouble or suffer family breakdown.