The National Coalition to End Family and Child Detention has launched the Paper Dolls to Free Families campaign to call for an end to the practice of family detention. #CDFTexas’ Trudy Taylor Smith, Esq. said it reflects Americans’ concerns over ICE: https://bit.ly/4qhp8RV

Are you signed up for our monthly newsletter? 👀 Take a look at this month’s edition of #ForOurChildren to see how we’re advancing child well-being nationwide and read thoughtful remarks from @RevDrStarsky on the work ahead: https://bit.ly/4r4zfuI

Don’t miss #HallProctor2026! Rev. Dr. Kenyatta R. Gilbert, nationally recognized scholar and Dean of Howard University’s School of Divinity, will participate this year as one of our Theologians-in-Residence. Early bird registration is open: https://bit.ly/3ZJB97M

Exciting news! CDF has welcomed the Erikson Institute's Dr. Mariana Souto-Manning and Dr. Ramesh Raghavan of the NYU Silver School of Social Work to our Board of Directors. Their expertise in child well-being will strengthen our advocacy. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3Zk9CK8

Don’t miss #HallProctor2026 featuring our Theologian-in-Residence and scholar activist Rev. Tamura Lomax. Early bird registration is open for this inspiring event! Register now: https://bit.ly/3ZJB97M

It's #TBT! This #BlackHistoryMonth, we encourage you to read this 2024 op-ed for the Richmond Times-Dispatch from #CDFFreedomSchools Director Dr. Kristal Moore Clemons reflecting on the Supreme Court's landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision: https://bit.ly/4aiMhh0

Early bird registration for #HallProctor2026 is open. Join us for this convening featuring our Dean of Chapel, and Eden Theological Seminary President, Rev. Dr. Deborah Krause, whose work bridges biblical interpretation, theology, and politics. Register: https://bit.ly/3ZJB97M

"Across the nation, the well-being of our children is being threatened" | After Congress’ recent decision to temporarily extend DHS funding, CDF urges lawmakers to reach a deal that ends the department’s brutal tactics harming youth nationwide. Read more: https://bit.ly/4afWydV 📸 = MN Public Radio

Season 2 of Young People Lead is out now! In our first episode, #CDFCA’s Radical Imagination Fellows reflect on resilience, racial and gender identity, gatekeeping, and the role of community in shaping their advocacy. Listen on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube: https://bit.ly/4at1I7o

Early bird registration for #HallProctor2026 is open! We’re honored to welcome Rev. Dr. Leslie D. Callahan, Pastor of Philadelphia's St. Paul’s Baptist Church, as this year's Pastor-in-Residence. Don’t miss this opportunity! Register now: https://bit.ly/3ZJB97M

Happy #BlackHistoryMonth from CDF! As efforts continue to silence the stories and contributions of Black Americans, we remain committed to lifting them up. Black history is history, and every child deserves to see themselves in their books while learning the full story of America.

We join our partners in the Protecting Immigrant Families coalition in applauding those Americans who have spoke out against the excessive use of force in federal immigration actions. These actions deeply harm children. Read more: https://bit.ly/4qXZ5R6

Only 2 days until Season 2 of Young People Lead drops! Join #CDFCA’s Radical Imagination Fellows for six conversations on foster care, youth homelessness, healing, and systems change. Don't miss it! Streaming on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & YouTube.

#CDFNY is proud to stand with the Are You Listening NY coalition to end the placement of New York youth in congregate settings. In this video, #CDFNY's Jose Perez explains why this practice must stop. Learn more: https://www.areyoulisteningny.org/

This week at Austin City Hall, #CDFTexas stood with the Immigrant Services Network of Austin for a vigil in solidarity with detained children. Their message: end family detention. Watch CBS Austin’s live stream of the event: https://bit.ly/4qR4p8M

This week, #CDFNY joined hundreds of advocates in Albany to urge passage of #NY4All, which would help immigrant and mixed-status families access public services without fear. Juan Diaz says, “It gives children statewide the opportunity to fulfill their potential."

Big news! Season 2 of Young People Lead premieres next Tuesday. It features our #CDFCA Radical Imagination Fellows in six conversations on foster care, youth homelessness, healing, and imagination as tools for systems change. Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

“Justice needs champions.” | It’s #TBT. As we continue to navigate a troubling time for so many of America’s children and families, we reflect on this message the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu shared with CDF roughly a decade ago as to why our work matters: https://bit.ly/49MZWxN

Organizations serving families should reflect the nation’s diversity. At CDF, we hold diversity as sacred, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, where CDF President & CEO Rev. Dr. Starsky Wilson also serves as Board Chair, shares that belief. Read more on why this matters: https://bit.ly/4t69BHm

Contact your Senators now! Urge them to vote NO on any additional funding for the Department of Homeland Security this year. We demand meaningful regulations, transparency, and accountability for ICE NOW!

TOMORROW | We’re joining Faith in Action in Washington, DC, to take action. We’re calling on senators to stand with the people and vote NO on additional funding for ICE and Border Patrol this year. Join us as we demand transparency. Learn more & register: https://bit.ly/4akBns7

TOMORROW | #CDFTexas and The Immigrant Services Network of Austin are coming together for the Free Families Solidarity Vigil at Austin City Hall. On behalf of detained children, we'll stand with advocates working to end family detention and lawmakers demanding accountability. Join us!

Early bird registration for #HallProctor2026 is now open! This summer at Alex Haley Farm, we'll gather people of faith, children’s advocates, moral exemplars, and community organizers to “Begin Again!”: https://bit.ly/4a13Cuy

Season 2 of our Young People Lead podcast premieres next Tuesday! Listen as our #CDFCA Radical Imagination Fellows explore topics from housing and education to youth justice and how they impact foster and transition age youth in Los Angeles. Here's a sneak peak!

#CDFNewYork’s YouthNPower: Transforming Care coalition report shows when young people have access to resources, their mental health thrives! Our team’s Sabah Merchant spoke with Public News Service about what NY must do next to give the state's children the support they need: https://bit.ly/4t0Zmnx

Don’t miss the latest season of Young People Lead, premiering February 3 on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube! Hear from #CDFCA's Radical Imagination Fellows, present-day leaders tackling real challenges and shaping solutions for foster and transition-age youth in Los Angeles County.

We join the Children’s Thrive Action Network in urging Congress to protect children by stopping additional ICE funding. Trudy Taylor Smith, Esq. of #CDFTexas explains why this matters: https://bit.ly/45mMcY6

Last week, CDF Public Policy Director Lauren Reliford, MSW, joined SojoAction to discuss how congressional budget cuts affect children and young people. Watch the full conversation here: https://bit.ly/49Vrfow

Season 2 of our Young People Lead podcast premieres February 3! Missed last season? Use this #TBT to catch season 1, Standing on Policy. Episodes are available on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube to hear how our youth policy consultants helped transform policy: https://bit.ly/3wtpVcb

“The call for us today is to begin again” | This week, Rev. Dr. Starsky Wilson spoke at iUrban Teen's annual MLK Day breakfast in Washington State. Read more about his message and the event here: https://bit.ly/49zxdMM

Season 2 of our Young People Lead podcast premieres Feb. 3! This season features our #CDFCA Radical Imagination Fellows sharing real stories, challenges, and solutions from foster & transition age youth across Los Angeles County. Get to know the young leaders behind this project!

Today, we remember Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who fought tirelessly for equity and justice for all children in America so that every young person may thrive. Thank you, Dr. King.

Early bird registration opens TOMORROW for the Hall-Proctor Institute for Child Advocacy Ministry! Curious but never been? Rev. Trevor Beauford describes a typical day at Hall-Proctor and what makes this convening so meaningful.

America's families need reliable childcare supports | Read our response to recent efforts by the Trump administration that seek to freeze funds that support kids, families, and communities. Full statement here: https://bit.ly/45Ti6eI

Only 2 days until early bird registration opens for the Hall-Proctor Institute for Child Advocacy Ministry! Thinking about joining us? Take a moment to discover all the amazing offerings we provide at Hall-Proctor that make this event so special.

This week, the #CDFNY team stood alongside leaders of the #RaiseTheAge Coalition at New York City Hall to denounce proposals that would roll back that critical law protecting young people in the state. Raise the Age is working, and we’re proud of our team’s efforts to defend it. #CDFNY's Jose Perez:

In just 3 days, early bird registration opens for the Hall-Proctor Institute for Child Advocacy Ministry! New to Hall-Proctor? Now’s the perfect time to learn about the roles that make this inspiring experience possible. Can you guess who's coming to this year's Hall-Proctor?

Our #CDFMN leaders spoke with press about how expanded ICE presence and funding cuts impact MN youth. State Dir. Alisha Porter & Sr. Policy Dir. Alexandra Fitzsimmons were joined by local pastors Dr. Billy Charvez Russell & Bishop Richard D. Howell Jr.: https://youtu.be/dTxF9yGBoLw

You're probably hearing a lot about child care lately. At CDF, we believe child care is a necessity, NOT a luxury. Child care supports development, ensures parents can work or go to school knowing their young one is being cared for, and helps our economies thrive.

Join our #CDFOhio team this Friday for the next session in its Fostering Potential series. Learn how Ohio can better support foster youth through K–12 on the path to graduation. Register now: https://bit.ly/3LHw3pm

Way to go, Amari'ah Carter! Last week, Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias honored the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Freedom School servant leader intern with the John Lewis Youth Leadership Award for her outstanding service. Read more on her achievement: https://bit.ly/4bqti6g

CDF President & CEO Rev. Dr. Starsky Wilson and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation President Dr. Rich Besser co-authored this op-ed reflecting on the need to protect and listen to America's young people in the face of national public health failures jeopardizing their well-being: https://bit.ly/4qR9Owf

Stay updated on the latest issues affecting children and young people nationwide. Follow us across all platforms for policy updates, action opportunities, and inspiring stories of change.

CDF Ohio’s Brianna Booker recently spoke with the Ohio Capital Journal about a bill vetoed by Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine that would have let young people work later at night. Here’s why we opposed it: https://bit.ly/49u9Q6c

This morning, CDF President and CEO Rev. Dr. Starsky Wilson joined Faith in Action and faith leaders from across the nation outside the White House drawing attention to the impact of recent events on our country's children. Full remarks: https://youtu.be/4lmIYvvJ5y0

Happening TOMORROW | Join @RevDrStarsky and other faith leaders at Lafayette Park, next to the White House in Washington, D.C., as they call for greater accountability from federal agencies like ICE as they interact with children, young people, and communities across America.

#CDFCA’s Yasmine-Imani McMorrin recently shared her thoughts with Public News Service on new laws in California that will impact child well-being this new year. Hear her insights here: https://bit.ly/3Yoch59

Tune in TOMORROW at 1 p.m. ET as CDF President & CEO Rev. Dr. Starsky wilson joins Tavis Smiley on KBLA1580 to talk about the year ahead for young people in America and how we’re working to ensure every child grows up with dignity, hope, and joy! Listen: https://bit.ly/4ooJ1G1

Register now | CDF President & CEO Rev. Dr. Starsky Wilson will join Black Millennial Cafe's State of the Black Church Conference, Jan. 15–17 in Atlanta, alongside faith leaders and organizers tackling the most urgent issues facing Black communities and children: https://bit.ly/4srXYdu

This week, #CDFMinnesota joined a press conference launching Minnesota’s new paid leave program! CDF-MN's Alexandra Fitzsimmons told KARE11 it will help parents and caregivers be there for life’s special moments. Learn more: https://bit.ly/49l4ni0