Home - Children's Defense Fund

What We Do

How we’re working to give every child what they need to thrive and become successful adults.

Advance Policies

We advocate for policies that will make a difference in our children’s future.

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Serve Children

We lead programs to serve and empower children, families and communities.

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Inspire Activism

We provide tools and information for the public to join us in advocating for a better future for today’s children.

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What We Do

We’re working to give every child what they need to thrive and reach their full potential.

Advance Policies

We advocate for policies that will make a difference in our children’s future.

Learn More

Serve Children

We lead programs to serve and empower children, families and communities.

Learn More

Inspire Activism

We provide tools and information for the public to join us in advocating for a better future for today’s children.

Learn More

Your Support Makes a Difference

We’re working to give every child what they need to thrive and reach their full potential. Every gift makes a difference in the lives of children.

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Your Support Makes a Difference

We’re working to give every child what they need to thrive and reach their full potential. Every gift makes a difference in the lives of children.

Donate Now

Stay Connected

News & Views

Legislation and policies may change, but our mission never does. Read our most recent press releases to learn the latest.

Child Welfare
U.S. Senators Sherrod Brown, Kamala D. Harris, Bob Casey and Catherine Cortez Masto Introduce Much-Needed Legislation to Support Child Welfare Services During COVID-19
On July 2nd, Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH), alongside Senators Kamala D. Harris (D-CA), Bob Casey (D-PA), and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), introduced the Child Welfare Emergency Assistance Act. The bill will provide a much-needed infusion of resources to help the child welfare system adequately respond to the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Read More...
Child Welfare
New Analysis from CDF: Increase Chafee Funds to Protect and Support Foster Care Youth
To date, Congress has failed to provide older youth from foster care with relief amid the pandemic. Surveys show that the majority of these youth who have lost jobs have not received the increased unemployment insurance provided in the CARES Act and most have not received stimulus payments. Still, there have been no federal funds dedicated to meet their pressing needs. CDF, and our other child welfare partners, urge Congress to provide $500 million in emergency funding to the John H. Chafee Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood to help stabilize these youth.
Read More...
Ending Child Poverty
The Urgent Need for the Senate to Take Action: Children and Families Need Cash Now
Our children and families cannot afford to wait. Children’s lives have been upended by this pandemic – from their education, to their health, to growing hunger and homelessness. The Senate must take up an additional round of pandemic relief legislation immediately and include robust direct cash assistance to ensure that every family, especially families of color, can make ends meet during this crisis and beyond.
Read More...

All News

News & Views

Legislation and policies may change, but our mission never does. Read our most recent press releases to learn the latest.

Child Welfare
U.S. Senators Sherrod Brown, Kamala D. Harris, Bob Casey and Catherine Cortez Masto Introduce Much-Needed Legislation to Support Child Welfare Services During COVID-19
On July 2nd, Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH), alongside Senators Kamala D. Harris (D-CA), Bob Casey (D-PA), and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), introduced the Child Welfare Emergency Assistance Act. The bill will provide a much-needed infusion of resources to help the child welfare system adequately respond to the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Read More...
Child Welfare
New Analysis from CDF: Increase Chafee Funds to Protect and Support Foster Care Youth
To date, Congress has failed to provide older youth from foster care with relief amid the pandemic. Surveys show that the majority of these youth who have lost jobs have not received the increased unemployment insurance provided in the CARES Act and most have not received stimulus payments. Still, there have been no federal funds dedicated to meet their pressing needs. CDF, and our other child welfare partners, urge Congress to provide $500 million in emergency funding to the John H. Chafee Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood to help stabilize these youth.
Read More...
Ending Child Poverty
The Urgent Need for the Senate to Take Action: Children and Families Need Cash Now
Our children and families cannot afford to wait. Children’s lives have been upended by this pandemic – from their education, to their health, to growing hunger and homelessness. The Senate must take up an additional round of pandemic relief legislation immediately and include robust direct cash assistance to ensure that every family, especially families of color, can make ends meet during this crisis and beyond.
Read More...

All News

CDF Freedom Schools ^®

More than 150,000 children have experienced our transformative literacy and cultural enrichment program. Join the CDF Freedom Schools^® movement.

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Share Your Story

We want to hear about your personal challenges, how you’ve made an impact or about your CDF experience.

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Proctor Institute 2019

Learn about our annual event for child advocates to build skills and share success stories.

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Small Boats & Wide Seas

Ever wonder about the story behind CDF’s iconic logo? Learn about the famous prayer and illustration including its discovery, implementation, and evolution.

Justice for families impacted by COVID-19

Visit our new COVID-19 Action Center to join the fight.

Juneteenth: celebrate through resistance

A call to both reflect and to act by standing up for Black lives.

We will continue to fight every day for justice

Read the Children’s Defense Fund’s statement on the recent police killings and the fight for racial justice in America.

New COVID-19 Resource Hub

Find the tools and information you need to keep your family safe and secure.

Donate to the Children in Crisis Fund

Help make sure vulnerable children will not get left behind as our country responds to this pandemic.

What We Do

Advance Policies

Serve Children

Inspire Activism

What We Do

Advance Policies

Serve Children

Inspire Activism

Your Support Makes a Difference

Stay Connected

Your Support Makes a Difference

Stay Connected

News & Views

News & Views

CDF Freedom Schools ®

Share Your Story

Proctor Institute 2019

Small Boats & Wide Seas

CDF Freedom Schools ^®