California
Our mission centers on enhancing opportunities for youth by fostering secure neighborhoods, ensuring comprehensive health care, and promoting positive educational environments, shaping a brighter future for California's children and youth.
CDF-CA Freedom Schools
Hundreds of CDF Freedom Schools scholars joined together for celebration, public testimony, and collaborative learning in Sacramento.
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Youth Justice
Youth Justice Director Milinda Kakani testifying before Senate Sub-committee on CA’s Juvenile Justice System.
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Child Watch
ChildWatch uplifts policy and advocacy solutions to advance positive outcomes for California’s children—who remain the largest group living in poverty in the state.
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Education Equity
CDF-CA’s Education Equity Team engaging with community members on the power in vocalizing shared experiences through their story map event.
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Act Now
Your tax-deductible donation to Children’s Defense Fund today helps us lift young people out of poverty, protect them from abuse, provide healthcare, quality education, and nurture their moral and spiritual growth. Join us in making a meaningful impact in the lives of children and youth.
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CDF Freedom Schools® Spotlight
Meet our spotlight CDF Freedom Schools sites and leaders across the state.
Learn MorePolicy Priorities in California
Learn more about California’s policy priorities
Our Policy PrioritiesUpdates in California
Share Your Story
Your story matters. Have you or your community been impacted by our programs or advocacy work? We want to hear from you.
Share Your StoryPrograms in California
Freedom Schools
At CDF Freedom Schools®, we’re not just educating; we’re nurturing lifelong learners and advocates for progress. By empowering the youngest generation, we’re sculpting a brighter tomorrow where we celebrate every young person’s potential, and affirming their impact on the world is profound.
CDF Freedom Schools® Program
Movement Building
Through collaborative action and community-centered initiatives, we seek to reduce child poverty, achieve education equity, improve child well-being, and more. Together, we’re shaping a world where every young person’s journey is marked by dignity, hope, and joy.
Building a Movement for YouthNews from California
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Youth Justice
Community Based Safety in LAUSD Must be Implemented with Greater Urgency
The Police Free LAUSD Coalition aims to create holistically safer, welcoming, and affirming campuses for all students in the Los Angeles Unified School District. …
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Education
LBUSD’s Draft LCAP Fails to Include Equity Gap Closing Actions and Goals
We look forward to the release of the district’s second draft of the Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) for the 2024-25 school year. In recent years, Long Beach Unified has made significant strides in its approach to the LCAP community engagement process.…
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Education
LCFF Equity Coalition Comments re: SBE Agenda, Items 2, 3 and 4 – May 8, 2024
We represent a coalition of civil rights, advocacy, community, parent, student, educator, and other organizations that have worked diligently on the passage and implementation of the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) and its accountability system, both at the state and local levels.…
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Education
AB 2441 (Kalra) – as introduced SUPPORT
Children’s Defense Fund-California is pleased to support AB 2441 (Kalra), which will eliminate most of the overreaching statutory mandates that require school staff to notify law enforcement about common school-related behavior.…
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