Blog
Find our latest articles, reports, and weekly editions at Children's Defense Fund.
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Child Health
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.
| National -
Child Poverty
Why We Should All Be New York Child Defenders
We are the ones we are waiting for to create another New York where our marginalized children are free to be children and have a real opportunity to meet their full potential.
| New York -
Child Poverty
Redeeming the Soul of America Requires Congress to Build Back Better for our Most Vulnerable Families
There will be dire consequences to New York’s – and America’s – soul and future if it fails to generate the needed political will in the Senate and White House to support the House’s budget reconciliation package and enact a permanent, inclusive and fully refundable Child Tax Credit.
| New York -
Education
Don’t Put Youth Education in Handcuffs Too!
Youth are still growing and learning at such a young age. They should not be subjected to such a harsh punishment because that affects them long-term. Placing them in juvenile detention centers does more damage especially when these centers are not equipped to truly help them on their educational journey.
| National -
Child Poverty
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.
| National -
Child Welfare
This Month, Act to Fund Care Not Cages
Continued reliance on institutional placements puts our nation’s children—especially Black children—at risk of lasting harm to their health, development, and well-being. Congress must prioritize effective community-led, family-focused, youth-centered programs to ensure young people have the resources and supports they need to thrive within their families and communities.
| National -
Youth Justice
CDF-NY Pushes for Criminal Record Sealing This Month
Criminal convictions create life-long barriers to employment, housing, and education that directly impact the conditions for children and families. Clean Slate is a crucial step toward racial and economic justice, addressing some of the deep racial disparities that are evident at every stage of the criminal legal system, and providing pathways to more full participation in our neighborhoods and communities, which is essential to the well-being of children, youth, and families.
| National -
Child Poverty
Work Requirements Would Undermine the CTC's Impacts on Racial and Economic Justice
We know that more than half of Black and Latino children were previously excluded from the CTC because their families did not make enough money to qualify, and re-imposing this racist policy could exclude millions of children of color and reverse the gains our nation has made thus far. As Congress works through the Build Back Better reconciliation package, the CTC should be strengthened to reach every child, not weakened by cuts or undermined with work requirements.
| National -
Education
This Month, Act to End the Cradle-to-Prison Pipeline
The cradle-to-prison pipeline targets Black children and other children with marginalized identities. We must end school policing and exclusionary discipline and invest in student supports instead so students aren’t pushed out of school and into harmful systems.
| National
Featured Blog Series
For Our Children
From the desk of President and CEO Rev. Dr. Starsky Wilson, discover a new take on child well-being and advocacy. Read to learn more about shaping conversations, policies, and actions for improving the lives of our nation's children and youth.
Learn More