Date & Time: Wednesday, November, 4-Thursday, November 5, 2026
Location: Armour J. Blackburn University Center, Howard University, 2397 6th St NW, Washington, DC, 20059
The American Youth Policy Forum, powered by CDF, is convening at a moment when harmful political decisions are undermining the growth and well-being of children and youth. Public education and public health systems have faced significant attacks, including the weakening of the Department of Education and critical protections like the Office for Civil Rights, leaving many children more vulnerable to discrimination and harm. At the same time, delays and cuts to essential programs—such as Head Start, SNAP, WIC, and Medicaid—have deepened challenges related to food security, health, and early childhood support. After more than a year of sweeping policy changes, this is a critical moment to assess the impact and reimagine what children in this country need to thrive.
In response, advocates from across the country will gather to reflect, strategize, and chart a path forward for children and youth. Grounded in CDF’s State of America’s Children© and the history of the children’s movement, this convening will explore both the roots of current challenges and the opportunities to build stronger, more equitable systems of care. Together, participants will examine innovative strategies, share collective vision, and turn that vision into action—working toward a future where all children experience dignity, hope, and joy.
This year’s forum, “Doing Our First Works Over: The New State of America’s Children,” will include inspiring keynote conversations, engaging breakout sessions, and opportunities to connect with advocates from across the country, participants will examine today’s most pressing issues affecting young people while advancing bold ideas for lasting change.
Date & Time: Wednesday, November, 4- Thursday, November 5, 2026
Location: Howard University, Washington, D.C.
Daily Agenda
Learn about our 2026 plenaries and breakout sessions.
FEATURED SPEAKERS
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Rev. Leonard Burton
President & CEO of the Center for the Study of Social Policy (CSSP)
Learn More about Rev. Leonard Burton -
Dr. Daniel Eisenberg
Professor of Health Policy and Management, UCLA; Co-Author, Investing in Children’s Mental Health
Learn More about Dr. Daniel Eisenberg -
Brittany Packnett Cunningham
Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer, Children’s Defense Fund (CDF)
Learn More about Brittany Packnett Cunningham -
Ramesh Raghavan, MD, Ph.D.
Professor of Social Work, New York University, Co-Author, Investing in Children’s Mental Health
Learn More about Ramesh Raghavan, MD, Ph.D. -
Heidi Shierholz, PhD
President, Economic Policy Institute (EPI)
Learn More about Heidi Shierholz, PhD -
Rev. Dr. Starsky Wilson
President & CEO, Children’s Defense Fund (CDF)
Learn More about Rev. Dr. Starsky Wilson -
Mariana Souto-Manning, Ph.D.
President, Erikson Institute
Learn More about Mariana Souto-Manning, Ph.D. -
Jennifer Jones Austin
CEO and Executive Director, Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies (FPWA)
Learn More about Jennifer Jones Austin -
Jamira Burley
Chief of Community and External Partnerships, XQ Institute
Learn More about Jamira Burley -
Natishia Y. June
Deputy Executive Director, Black Futures Lab and Black 2 the Future Action Fund
Learn More about Natishia Y. June -
Dr. John Silvanus Wilson, Jr.
Executive Director of the McGraw Center for Educational Leadership at Penn Graduate School for Education (GSE)
Learn More about Dr. John Silvanus Wilson, Jr.
CDF proudly recognizes our 2026 sponsors:
Support for this forum was provided in part by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The views expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of the Foundation.
