Blog

Find our latest articles, reports, and weekly editions at Children's Defense Fund.

  • Child Welfare

    A Time for Altruism

    Foster youth are on the cusp of a crisis in the middle of a pandemic. If our representatives in Washington D.C. don’t act fast, thousands of foster youth will age out of foster care on October 1st, and many more will lose a lifeline to flexible cash assistance that young people like me fought for. We need Congress to pass legislation that extends the protections included in the Supporting Foster Youth and Families Through the Pandemic Act immediately.

    | National

  • Education

    | Ohio

  • Youth Voices: Children Deserve Characters Like Them

    Children shouldn’t have to wait until maturity to begin to internalize the words, “love yourself”! Better representation in books, tv shows, and news media should start now: through empowering our children to be their genuine selves, encouraging them to engage with a variety of books and media, and showing them that they are the right person to make a change.

    | National

  • Child Health

    What Children Need as They Head Back to School This Year

    This school year, as concerns loom large for many families, children need protection from COVID-19, mental health supports, safe and supportive school climates, opportunities to finish learning, and certainty and reassurance about their futures.

    | National

  • Child Poverty

    Why the CTC and Baby Bonds are Smart Investments in our Children

    Let’s correct the historical disinvestment and intentional harm done to our communities of color, and let’s invest in permanent Baby Bonds and an expanded CTC NOW. Congress must include both of these policies in the reconciliation package. It is, foremost, the right thing to do for our children and youth, and it is also smart economics for all.

    | National

  • Child Poverty

    New from CDF: Reflecting on and Reckoning with 25 Years of TANF

    Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) is a key economic support program to help families with children who have very low incomes through a variety of services. TANF marks 25 years in August 2021, a landmark which invites both reflection and reckoning.

    | National

  • Child Poverty

    Universal Meals Are Essential for Advancing Racial Equity

    If Congress does not act now to make universal school meals permanent, millions of children will soon be left behind--and children of color will be hit hardest. Download our infographic to learn more about the ways universal meals will advance racial equity and join us in telling Congress to make them permanent!

    | National
Starsky Wilson stands at a podium in front of a crowd.

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