Just and Caring Communities
Promise
Our children will play freely in parks, walk safely to bus stops, and
learn in schools as sanctuaries, with neighbors and public servants as
guardians of their well-being.
Problem
Both community and state-sponsored violence rob children of
peace and play. Guns are the leading cause of death for children and youth in America. Two-thirds of the young people in the juvenile justice system are children of color. Children are negatively impacted by immigration enforcement efforts, as 1 in 4 children in the United States have at least one foreign-born parent.
Policy Path
In this zone, CDF will advocate for public policy related to: (1) Gun safety and restrictions, (2) Public health approaches to public safety, (3) Youth justice reform, and (4) Immigration Reform.
Moonshot Generational Commitment
Eliminate youth jails and detention centers to deliver on CDF’s historic commitment to end the “criminalization of children.
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.…