What’s New — Children's Defense Fund

Stay updated to ensure justice for all children and youth.

Transforming Closed Youth Prisons: Repurposing Facilities to Meet Community Needs, a recently released report by the Urban Institute, describes why state and local governments should begin repurposing vacant youth prisons. The report looks at six former detention centers currently undergoing transformations and offers recommendations for policymakers and advocates. Read the report and learn how to make repurposing a reality in your community.

Congress Must Invest in Safe, Healthy, Inclusive Schools
January 21st, 2022
We know school policing and harsh, exclusionary school discipline practices harm students, so we joined 90 civil rights and education organizations to call on Congress to advance critical legislation to provide safe, healthy, and inclusive school climates.
Don’t Put Youth Education in Handcuffs Too!
October 28th, 2021
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.
This Month, Act to Fund Care Not Cages
October 18th, 2021
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.