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Youth Justice

We Must Put an End to the Racist and Counteractive Practice of Juvenile Fees and Fines

Juvenile fees and fines are not rehabilitative – instead, they increase recidivism and destabilize families, criminalize poverty, and heighten existing racial disparities within the juvenile and adult criminal justice systems. It's time we move beyond reforming broken policies and put an end to these harmful practices altogether.

June 14, 2021 | National
Ohio's FY 22-23 Biennial Budget - Raise Your Voice for Children!

June 11, 2021 | Ohio
Child Poverty

The Child Tax Credit Will Not Reach Every Child Until Congress Simplifies Complicated Tax Rules

The current expanded CTC still leaves out hundreds of thousands of children due to arcane rules built into the tax code, collectively known as the “child-claiming” rules. It is time for Congress to rewrite the child-claiming rules to ensure the CTC follows each child, no matter their household composition, family structure, or where they live.

June 10, 2021 | National
Child Poverty

Monthly Payments for Families with Children are Coming, Guaranteed Income Pilots Can Tell Us What to Expect

Unconditional, generous, and broad cash helps the lives of families and children and the Stockton experiment should be a guide as we study the effects of the expanded CTC and work to build this expansion into a permanent, universal child allowance. The work is far from over, but in July, when families begin to receive their first checks, the power of unconditional cash will be felt across the country.

June 8, 2021 | National
Children's Defense Fund-Ohio Stands with Other Advocates to Prioritize Children and Families

June 8, 2021 | Ohio
Education

Trans Students Deserve Safe and Supportive Schools

Students deserve safe, healthy, and inclusive learning environments and access to equitable educational opportunities, including extracurricular activities like athletics. State and local leaders must reject attacks on trans students and enact policies that protect trans students from discrimination.

June 4, 2021 | National
Child Health

What President Biden’s Fiscal Year 2022 Budget Means for Our Nation’s Children and Families

President Biden recently released his Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 Budget request to Congress to strengthen the economy, address longstanding racial disparities, and ensure a more equitable future for our children. After a year marked by such dramatic change and drastic negative impact on children’s lives, we need meaningful investments in supports for children and families. President Biden’s FY22 budget request starts to do just that.

June 4, 2021 | National
Child Health

Improving Maternal and Infant Care with Doula Support Part 2: Training & Certification

June 3, 2021 | Ohio
Child Welfare

Make your Mark: Learning to Advocate for Meaningful Policy Change

May 28, 2021 | Ohio
Education

Ohio Must Support Student Wellness and Education Equity: Creating False Choices Hurts Children and Ohio's Future

May 28, 2021 | Ohio

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