Black Empowerment Fest: Roots & Resilience will also feature a Black History talent show and multiple events aimed at improving the mental health of Galveston’s Black residents.
Children's Defense Fund-California Youth Justice Director Milinda Kakani recently provided a California Senate Subcommittee with testimony on her observations of Los Angeles County's juvenile justice system.
Los Angeles, CA—On Wednesday, staff from Children’s Defense Fund-California and several other California youth advocacy organizations will provide lawmakers in Sacramento with their observations on the state of California’s juvenile justice system since the passing of Senate Bill 823 and the closure of the Division of Juvenile Justice.
In January, Mississippi leaders announced they would turn down federal funds provided through the United States Department of Agriculture's Summer EBT program to help feed families and children this summer. Children's Defense Fund-Southern Regional Director Oleta Fitzgerald discussed the ramifications of the state's decision with Mississippi Public Broadcasting reporter Michael McEwen. She urged the state's leaders to rethink their decision and apply for the USDA funds in the future. "It's just stunning that our elected officials and policy makers would not make it possible for these families and children to access food during the summer months when they need it most," Fitzgerald said.
Today, our U.S. Senate has the power - in the form of the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024 - to prioritize marginalized children, young people, and their families by voting in favor of the expansion of the Child Tax Credit (CTC).
The new Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act doesn’t include all of the improvements that were part of that expansion, but it is still an important step that will benefit approximately 16 million young people—including more than one in three Black and Brown children under 17.
On Monday, nine organizations, including CDF-TX, sent more than 1,200 superintendents in Texas a letter informing them HB 900 book ratings imposed on booksellers cannot be enforced at this time.
On Sunday, January 28, 2024, Children’s Defense Fund-Texas will join community members and activists to celebrate Children’s Sabbath at Trinity East United Methodist Church, in Third Ward.