Children’s Health and Healing
Promise
All young people enjoy regular, nourishing meals and active lives,
marked by positive social adjustment, sustainable environments, and
healthcare homes for their bodies and minds.
Problem
10.7 million young people live in food-insecure households. In 2021,
more than 4 in 10 (42%) students felt persistently sad or hopeless and nearly one-third (29%) experienced poor mental health. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, in 2019, 4.4 million children were uninsured in the United States.
Policy Path
In this zone, CDF will advocate for public policy related to: (1) Child Nutrition and Food Security, (2) Youth Mental Health and Social Emotional Wellness, (3) Healthcare coverage, and (4) Environmental justice.
Moonshot Generational Commitment
Ensure permanent, universal free school meals and children’s physical and mental health coverage.
Learn MoreRelated Updates
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American Youth Policy Forum – Moving Forward
The impact of the 2024 election may shape our nation for generations. That is why I am pleased Children’s Defense Fund was positioned to host the American Youth Policy Forum in Washington, D.C., on November 8th.…
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Health
New Texas executive order requires hospitals to ask about immigrant status. Here’s what it means for Texas children and their families.
Children’s Defense Fund-Texas (CDF-TX) is deeply concerned about the impact of Executive Order GA-46 on Texas children and families.…
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Education
Shaping the Future by Shaping Teachers
In the face of rising book bans and calls to eliminate Black history from school curriculums, CDF’s Ella Baker Child Policy Teacher Training Institute has never been more important.…
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Mentoring Tomorrow’s Leaders
Reagan believes in taking initiative. So when she learned about our Black Student Leadership Network (BSLN) and our NBA HBCU Fellowship Program, she was eager to do both.…