In Defense of Children

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Viewpoints and analysis from the CDF Policy team on issues impacting children. CDF’s policy advocacy focuses on the whole child because children don’t come in pieces. We seek to end child poverty and give every child a healthy start, a quality early childhood experience, a level education playing field, safe families and communities free from violence—with special attention to children involved in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems.







2022-01-15T15:55:07-05:00

Dr. King’s Choice…and Ours

From 2008 to 2018, I served as pastor of Saint John’s Church, a multi-racial congregation in St. Louis. Centering the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s public vision, we called ourselves “beloved disciples building Beloved Community.” This hope-filled picture of a transformed nation animated our work together—in faith for justice.

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2022-01-14T16:52:23-05:00
Families should be receiving a CTC payment today.

Families should be receiving a CTC payment today. Instead, they’re worrying about how to make ends meet.

On this day last year, my son and I watched events unfold just two miles from our new home in Washington, D.C. Dallas—my artist, the empath among my four children who feels deeply all that he sees around him—was unnerved in the place where I was moving my family. He watched, with children across the nation, as the hopes for his well-being were attacked at the Capitol.

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2022-01-13T17:25:12-05:00

Raising Democracy – A letter from Rev. Dr. Starsky Wilson

On this day last year, my son and I watched events unfold just two miles from our new home in Washington, D.C. Dallas—my artist, the empath among my four children who feels deeply all that he sees around him—was unnerved in the place where I was moving my family. He watched, with children across the nation, as the hopes for his well-being were attacked at the Capitol.

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2021-12-22T13:18:33-05:00

Give with Confidence.

When you make a gift to CDF, you can give with confidence knowing we take stewardship of your gift seriously. CDF is highly rated by many organizations, including GuideStar, Charity Navigator, Great Nonprofits, BBB Wise Giving Alliance, and America's Best Charities. This recognition is a demonstration of our commitment to accountability and stewardship to our donors and our mission.

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2023-02-06T17:16:58-05:00

CDF Provided Opportunity to Reimagine its Black Student Leadership Network through NBA Foundation Grant

With support from the NBA Foundation, CDF will soon revitalize its historic efforts to develop a pipeline of Black servant leaders who will lead today’s movements and guide us towards a brighter future where children, especially our most marginalized, are provided every opportunity to thrive.

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2021-11-18T08:29:16-05:00

National Paid Family and Medical Leave is an Important Promise to Children

Being there isn’t negotiable. National paid family and medical leave is one building block in a stack of policies, including the Child Tax Credit and high-quality, affordable child care, that create a solid foundation for children to grow and thrive. Congress must raise the pillars of stronger, better, and more inclusive national paid family and medical leave in Build Back Better--and beyond.

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2021-12-06T07:08:01-05:00

What the Build Back Better Compromise Means for Children and Families

The compromise bill includes important generational investments to boost families’ economic stability and reduce racial inequities in income, housing, education, and health care that disproportionately harm Black, Latino, and Indigenous children. However, it leaves out important investments to ensure children and families have what they need to thrive.

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2021-10-26T16:09:55-05:00

CDF Urges Congress to Address the Housing Affordability Crisis and its Devastating Impact on Children

CDF urges Congress to prioritize robust investments within the Build Back Better Act for housing vouchers, public housing, and the national Housing Trust Fund (HTF) because these vital housing programs most directly meet the needs of the poorest and most marginalized children and youth in our country.

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