Join us for A National Celebration of Joy.
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We envision a nation where marginalized children flourish, leaders prioritize their well-being, and communities wield the power to ensure they thrive.
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Join us for the American Youth Policy Forum.
Powered by Children’s Defense Fund, the American Youth Policy Forum (AYPF) gathers policymakers, advocates, non-profit leaders, and educators for a two-day convening focused on the impact of politics and policy on America’s children and young people. Come be a part of this informative and inspiring space November 5 and 6.
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National Observance of Children's Sabbaths® October 17-19, 2025
Join places of worship, faith-based organizations, and child advocates across the country for the 2025 National Observance of Children's Sabbaths®, an annual celebration that brings together people of every faith to raise a moral voice for justice and hope for children.
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We Owe them Peace of Mind
I spent most of the month of May on the road. From community celebrations with our state office and civil rights partners in New York, to stops on the State of the People Tour in Newark, Detroit, and Richmond, to keynotes and commencement addresses in Chicago, Minneapolis, and Baltimore.
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Policy Brief: Expanded Child Tax Credit as a Key Anti-Poverty & Child Welfare Prevention Strategy
Children’s Defense Fund and Chapin Hall are collaborating to advance evidence-based strategies that strengthen child and family well-being. This brief focuses on the promise of making permanent the pandemic-era expanded Child Tax Credit (CTC).
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CDF Haley Farm
Named for author and activist Alex Haley, CDF Haley Farm in Clinton, TN, is a sacred and safe space for facilitating movement-building moments and training opportunities for prioritizing joy, pursuing justice, and promoting rest as resistance. Explore the rich history of Haley Farm and consider hosting your next event there!
Learn MoreRecent News
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Child Welfare
CDF-Texas Urges Protection for Unaccompanied Minors After Illegal Deportation Attempts from Texas
Over Labor Day weekend, a federal judge ordered the Trump administration to halt its plans to deport more than 600 unaccompanied children to Guatemala.…
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Child Welfare
As Comment Window Closes, CDF-SRO, Mississippians Urge BEAM to Deliver Affordable, Equitable Broadband
As Mississippi’s public comment window for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Draft Final Proposal closes, Children’s Defense Fund–Southern Regional Office (CDF-SRO) and the Southern Rural Black Women’s Initiative (SRBWI) are calling on the Office of Broadband Expansion and Accessibility of Mississippi (BEAM) to strengthen accountability, affordability, and equity in the state’s broadband internet rollout, even within the limits set by recent federal rule changes.…
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A Child Watch Coda
After 40 years, today’s column will be the last in the weekly Child Watch® series. Today is not yet the conclusion to the reasons this column began, nor to the need to stay vigilant. …
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Find a CDF Freedom Schools® Site
At CDF Freedom Schools, we’re not just educating. We’re nurturing lifelong learners and advocates for progress. We’re sculpting a brighter tomorrow where we celebrate every young person’s potential, and affirming their impact on the world is profound. Find a CDF Freedom Schools site near you.
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Subscribe to “For Our Children”
Sign up to receive the weekly column by Rev. Dr. Starsky Wilson.
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CDF’s President and CEO, Rev. Dr. Starsky Wilson, shares insights, challenges, and hopes for the future in “For Our Children.”CDF’s President and CEO, Rev. Dr. Starsky Wilson, offers a personal perspective on challenges, victories, and the path ahead in “For Our Children.” Delve into a unique narrative that guides our mission, celebrates milestones, and navigates the journey toward a brighter tomorrow. Explore now for an inside connection to our vision—where the story of our commitment to children and youth unfolds.
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