This week #CDFTexas joined the Children Thrive Action Network to oppose DHS’s proposal to roll back the 2022 public charge policy, allowing green card denials based on health or use of social services, which would harm children in immigrant families: https://bit.ly/4oXwQ3Y

ICYMI: CDF VP & Chief Strategy Officer Brittany Packnett Cunningham joined Tavis Smiley on KBLA TALK 1580 to discuss how we’re advancing child well-being in America. Listen to the full interview here: https://bit.ly/3K9Wymr

#CDFCA, as part of the Education Justice Coalition, developed a report on how LA County can better educate youth in detention. This week, @LACountyBOS directed the county's education office to implement recommendations from their report. Read motion #14: https://bit.ly/4r2FzTO

Families in South Texas are facing delayed benefits, rising health costs, and growing uncertainty. #CDFTexas’ team in the Rio Grande Valley share with the Rio Grande Guardian what they’re seeing on the ground and why support for kids is more critical than ever: https://bit.ly/4oRUBu0

It’s #TBT! In this season of gratitude, leading up to Thanksgiving, we’re reflecting on our National Day of Social Action, when #CDFFreedomSchools scholars stood up to show “Public Education is a Public Good!” Thank you for fighting for all children’s well-being.

Join our #CDFOhio team tomorrow for the kickoff of its Fostering Potential series, a conversation on how Ohio can better support foster youth from kindergarten through graduation. Register to participate in this important conversation from 12 to 1 PM ET: https://bit.ly/3LWSJS10

Today is World Children’s Day, UNICEF’s global day of action for children and by children, marking the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. CDF supports this global effort, uplifting children as they speak out about their lives, their hopes, and their rights.

Tune in TOMORROW at 1:30 PM EST / 10:30 AM PST! CDF VP & Chief Strategy Officer Brittany Packnett Cunningham will join The Tavis Smiley Show on KBLA1580 to discuss how CDF is working to ensure young people grow up with dignity, hope, and joy. Listen live: https://bit.ly/4ooJ1G1

Family detention inflicts profound harm on children. Ahead of today’s webinar, use this link to access our tool to call your members of Congress and urge them to end family detention: https://bit.ly/4omoRfP Webinar registration: https://bit.ly/4pfnYXc

Great news from New York: the immediate release of a Bronx teen from Ecuador, detained by ICE during an immigration court visit, has been ordered by a judge. Last week, CDF and four youth advocacy groups filed an amicus brief urging his release. Learn more & read the brief: https://bit.ly/3LMPYTp

The Education Justice Coalition and our #CDFCA team are pushing to strengthen education for youth detained in LA County. County leaders have introduced a motion that proposes implementing the coalition’s recommendations from its report. Read the motion: https://bit.ly/4r2FzTO

Join us for an important conversation on the realities of family detention in America. This will be a powerful discussion you won’t want to miss. Register now: https://bit.ly/4pfnYXc

.@RevDrStarsky weighed in on an new executive order that thrusts the issue of foster care into the national spotlight. But he warns in this The Imprint piece, the effort "stops short" of addressing issues such as race and poverty: https://bit.ly/487EvWi

It’s #TBT! As we take a moment to reflect, CDF thanks everyone who supported our work this past year by joining our Celebrations of Joy and participating in events organized by our national and state offices. Take a look at these photos of all the joy we’ve shared together!

We were proud to honor the W.K. Kellogg Foundation with our Advocate for Joy Award at our recent National Celebration of Joy, recognizing its years of support for our work to uplift children and youth. Thank you! Read more: https://bit.ly/3LEndID

We want to say happy birthday to our Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer Brittany Packnett Cunningham! It’s been a pleasure working alongside you as we work together to ensure all young people grow up with dignity, hope, and joy!

Youth are leading the way, and they’re demanding change—and we must act together. Share, join us, and help call for real solutions. 📢areyoulisteningny.org/joinus #AreYouListeningNY #StopInstitutionalizingKids

Now in its SIXTH week, the longest government shutdown in United States history may soon end. We outline what the recent congressional deal to reopen the government means for children and families across the country.

Today we honor the courage and commitment of all veterans, and their families, who have served our country. At Children’s Defense Fund, we’re grateful for their dedication.

"It asks our young people to sacrifice their academic futures for short term relief." | #CDFOhio's Brianna Booker recently testified against a bill that would extend working hours for children under the age of 16 in Ohio. Watch: https://bit.ly/4oxxxAQ

Join CDF’s Rev. Tiffany Brooks this Thursday at Towson University for The Power of Black Youth, a panel with #BlackStudentLeadershipNetwork alum Dr. Sekou Franklin and 2024–25 BSLN Cohort fellow Jalen Calicutt. Don’t miss this inspiring discussion: https://bit.ly/47NqtZw

The #CDFTexas team stands with the Welcome With Dignity campaign in condemning the federal government’s decision to cap refugee admissions at just 7,500 people, a historic and shameful low. Thousands of children and families will be left in danger: https://bit.ly/4ounPPq

What a night! We’re still feeling the energy from our National Celebration of Joy! Thanks to our Advocates for Joy, Rep. Bennie Thompson, United We Dream co-founder Cristina Jimenez Moreta, and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Also, congrats to Samuel Halperin award honoree Leland Binckley!

As the government shutdown continues, so does the hardship for hundreds of thousands of federal workers and their children. #CDFMN’s Alexandra Fitzsimmons testified on the urgent need to protect the WIC nutrition program for Women, Infants, and Children: https://youtu.be/g_AVOpESIlI

Don’t miss Living Liberation 2025, a free two-day virtual convening hosted by the Center for Third World Organizing. #CDF’s Tiffany Brooks will join the “Culture, Power and Collective Protection” panel this Friday! Learn more and register: https://ctwo.org/

That’s a wrap on day one of the American Youth Policy Forum, powered by CDF! From discussions on school suspensions and Medicaid to automatic benefits to end child poverty and expanding youth justice, we’re excited to keep exploring ways to advance youth well-being through policy tomorrow!

From unstable housing to lost community ties, the harms of New York’s institutions follow youth long after they leave, especially Black, Brown, and LGBTQ+ young people. Young people are leading and demanding change. We must act together! Join them: areyoulisteningny.org/joinus #AreYouListening

The American Youth Policy Forum, powered by Children's Defense Fund, is off to an incredible start! The day began with a fireside chat between Robert Wood Johnson Foundation President & CEO Dr. Rich Besser and journalist Suzanne Malveaux on the public health landscape for youth. Take a look!

As the government shutdown continues, Children’s Defense Fund is urging lawmakers to protect families whose SNAP benefits are at risk. Read what CDF Southern Regional Director Oleta Garrett Fitzgerald shared about the impact on Mississippi families: https://bit.ly/3LkGgHL

We’ve reached the FIFTH week of the government shutdown, tying the longest in U.S. history. This crisis threatens the health, education, and housing of children and families nationwide. Swipe to learn more about its impact on America’s youth.

Children and young people shouldn’t suffer the consequences of political gridlock on Capitol Hill. In an op-ed for The 74, Children's Defense Fund's Sonja Foster shares why ending the shutdown is essential to protecting youth nationwide. Read: https://bit.ly/3LFu1pc

Just a few tickets remain for CDF’s National Celebration of Joy, our signature gala uniting changemakers to uplift America’s children. Act now to secure your seat: https://bit.ly/4gPXUih

This weekend, Rev. Dr. Starsky Wilson served as guest speaker for Andrew Rankin Memorial Chapel’s A Call to Chapel series at Howard University. Watch his inspiring message as he joined student leaders in worship: https://bit.ly/4hMp8qG

Secure your spot now! | A few seats remain for the American Youth Policy Forum, powered by CDF! Join Rep. Ayanna Pressley and youth leaders as they explore how America can better serve its youth. Register now for this special event in DC: https://bit.ly/4nCy5Fa

Time is running out! | Registration closes soon for The American Youth Policy Forum, powered by CDF. Join child advocates, policymakers, and young leaders in Washington, DC, for two days of discussions on how policy can better serve youth and families. Secure your spot: https://bit.ly/4nCy5Fa

The #CDFTexas team joined civil rights and faith leaders in urging Congress to act after a ProPublica investigation revealed more than 170 U.S. citizens were wrongfully detained by immigration agents, causing lasting harm to children and families. Read: https://bit.ly/4oqi8SU

The full schedule for the American Youth Policy Forum, powered by Children's Defense Fund, is out now! Join child advocates, policymakers, and young leaders in DC for two days of action on youth and family policy. Registration closes soon! Secure your spot: https://bit.ly/4nCy5Fa

Due to the government shutdown and congressional inaction, more than 42 million Americans could lose access to SNAP benefits once contingency funds run out. #CDFTexas State Director Dr. Brandy Taylor-Dédé spoke with the Defender Network about what families need to know: https://bit.ly/4oT3QKm

The #CDFTexas team recently joined the Annual Harambee Festival in Dallas, the city’s oldest and largest African American cultural celebration. The team completed its “Let Us Bloom Together” sculpture, now donated to a local library as a symbol of justice, love, and community!

Secure your spot now! | A few seats remain for the American Youth Policy Forum, powered by CDF! Join Rep. Gwen Moore and youth leaders as they explore how America can better serve its youth. Register now for this special event in DC: https://bit.ly/4nCy5Fa

SNAP & the Shutdown | SNAP recipients will not receive benefits on November 1 due to the government shutdown. Forty-two million Americans could be impacted. #CDFSRO’s Oleta Fitzgerald spoke with Mississippi Public Broadcasting about this crisis: https://bit.ly/4325ErR

SNAP & the Shutdown | We’re deeply concerned about how a federal shutdown could disrupt SNAP benefits for families and children nationwide. #CDFMinnesota’s Alexandra Fitzsimmons spoke with Mankato residents about how this crisis may affect them. Watch this KEYC-TV story to learn more: bit.ly/4325ErR

#CDFTexas joined a coalition of more than 30 civil rights and advocacy organizations led by Unidos US, calling on House Democrats to hold a hearing on the weaponization of the military and immigration enforcement against communities nationwide. Read: https://bit.ly/4hyxDWd

The American Youth Policy Forum is bringing policymakers & young leaders to DC to explore how policy can better serve youth. Lisa M. Lawson, President & CEO, Annie E. Casey Foundation, will speak on how to help youth reach their full potential. Join us: https://bit.ly/4nCy5Fa

We’re still reflecting on all the inspiring Children’s Sabbaths celebrations held across the country this month. At The Concord Fellowship, in Huntsville, Alabama, CDF Board Chair Rev. Dr. Don Darius Butler urged his congregation to support children during this critical time.

New York puts 2,000+ youth in harmful group homes and facilities annually. This policy choice must end. Are You Listening? The #CDFNY team is part of a coalition calling on NYS to invest in community-based solutions that keep youth strong. Join us: https://www.areyoulisteningny.org/joinus

At CDF’s National Celebration of Joy, we will recognize the W.K. Kellogg Foundation as an Advocate for Joy! Join us in celebrating their commitment to children & families. Reserve your spot for this celebration today: https://bit.ly/4gPXUih

This weekend at Dallas’s Friendship-West Baptist Church, #CDFTexas joined their Social Justice Ministry to highlight food injustice impacting local children. As part of Bread Sunday and Children’s Sabbaths, we affirmed: no child should wonder where their next meal will come from.

"Our worship must become our witness" | CDF’s Rev. Trevor Beauford delivered a special sermon in recognition of the National Observance of Children’s Sabbaths® this Sunday at Peoples Congregational United Church of Christ in Washington, DC. Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/live/cIVenwuZI9Q

The federal government has now been shut down for FOUR WEEKS. Want to know how this crisis on Capitol Hill could affect your family? Read how it's impacting the health, education, and safety of children across America.