Publications

Child Poverty

Expanded Child Tax Credit as an Anti-Poverty & Child Welfare Prevention Strategy

The expanded CTC is a critical policy choice to address the persistent problem of child poverty in the United States.
Public Comment on Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program
Immigration

Defend Birthright Citizenship for All Children Born in Texas

On his first day back in office, President Trump announced Executive Order 14160,i which purports to end birthright citizenship for certain children born in the U.S. Under this order, a child would be denied citizenship at birth if their father is not a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident and their mother is either unlawfully or temporarily present in the U.S.
Education

Who has the power?

Los Angeles County has failed to ensure access to the essential tool of a quality, culturally affirming, robust, and individualized education to the thousands of students under its care in juvenile detention facilities each year. This failure disproportionately affects low-income communities of color and persists due to the lack of transparent and responsive accountability mechanisms.
Child Poverty

Veto Requests for Ohio’s State Operating Budget FY2026-2027

This budget, as currently written, sends a stark and disheartening message: Ohio’s children and families are not a priority. At a time when families are struggling to access child care, health coverage, basic necessities, and safe housing, lawmakers have chosen to deliver massive tax breaks to the wealthy and handouts to stadium developers.
Child Poverty

“STARTING TO LIVE”

Our pilot revealed the transformative potential of unconditional cash to help young people emerging from foster care to experience stability and a sense of control over their own lives—to truly experience a transition to adulthood.
Child Poverty

Rev. Dr. Starsky Wilson's Budget Reconciliation Letter

The House-passed budget reconciliation package poses a grave threat to making that vision a reality. So, we are calling on you and your colleagues in the Senate to consider and pass a package that centers the needs of children and families.
CDF-Ohio State Budget Priorities FY2026-2027
Child Poverty

Family Stability & Economic Mobility: Expanded Child Tax Credit as a Key Anti-Poverty & Child Welfare Prevention Strategy

Children’s Defense Fund and Chapin Hall are collaborating to advance evidence-based strategies that strengthen child and family well-being. This brief focuses on the promise of making permanent the pandemic-era expanded Child Tax Credit (CTC).
Child Welfare

Child and Family Wellbeing Fund One-pager

Legislation creating a new Child and Family Wellbeing Fund would support children’s growth and development by investing resources in 10 communities that have been historically disenfranchised and targeted for government intervention through the child protective services (CPS)/child welfare system for 5 years.