National Archives - Children's Defense Fund

CDF: Proposed Head Start Overhaul Will Threaten the Well-Being of Millions of America’s Children

August 6, 2026 - The national youth advocacy organization warns that scaling back the 61-year-old program will harm low-income children and families nationwide.

August 6, 2026 | National

For Our Children: The Conditions Our Children Inherit

July 31, 2026 – As a new school year begins, children are returning to classrooms while facing growing challenges, from hunger and health care cuts to mental health needs and educational inequities. Explore why this moment calls for renewed commitment to every child's well-being.

August 3, 2026 | National

CDF President, Baltimore Parents to Discuss ‘Are the Children Well?’ at CDF Freedom Schools® Town Hall

July 27, 2026 - CDF President & CEO Rev. Dr. Starsky Wilson is visiting CDF Freedom Schools sites nationwide this summer to discuss children’s mental health with parents.

July 27, 2026 | National

CDF Urges Congress to Pass ‘American Dream and Promise Act’ to Secure Futures for Nation’s Dreamers

July 21, 2026 - The bipartisan legislation would establish a permanent pathway to citizenship, grant conditional residency to Dreamers, and protect TPS and DED beneficiaries from deportation.

July 21, 2026 | National

Northern CA CDF Freedom Schools® Scholars to Gather at San Francisco’s Chase Center to Call for Increased Mental Health, Wellness Support in Communities, Schools

July 15, 2026 - Under the theme, 'Are the Children Well?', more than 500 local school-aged children will raise their voices to advocate for the mental health resources essential to their success.

July 15, 2026 | National

Southern CA CDF Freedom Schools® Scholars to Gather in South LA to Call for Increased Mental Health, Wellness Support in Communities, Schools

July 14, 2026 - Under the theme, 'Are the Children Well?', hundreds of local school-aged children will raise their voices to advocate for the mental health resources essential to their success.

July 14, 2026 | National

Central Ohio CDF Freedom Schools® Scholars to Gather at Ohio Statehouse to Call for Increased Mental Health, Wellness Support in Communities, Schools

July 13, 2026 - Under the theme, 'Are the Children Well?', 300+ local school-aged children will raise their voices to advocate for the mental health resources essential to their success.

July 13, 2026 | National

CDF to Host 32nd Annual ‘Hall-Proctor’ Institute, Mobilizing Faith Leaders to Advocate for Children in Communities Across America

July 10, 2026 - This year’s theme, ‘BEGIN AGAIN! Roots, Sacred Rhetoric & Revolutionary Mothering,’ invites participants to reconnect with the moral traditions that prioritize the well-being of children and sustain justice.

July 10, 2026 | National

National

Contact Your Member of Congress, Tell Them: Support the STRONG Support for Children Act!

Urge your House Representative to co-sponsor the STRONG Support for Children Act (H.R. 2957), legislation that expands trauma-informed mental health care, family supports, and community-based services so every child has the opportunity to heal, grow, and thrive.

July 15, 2026

‘Are the Children Well?’: CDF Freedom Schools® Scholars to Rally Across America to Protect Mental Health, Emotional Wellness Supports in Communities, Schools

July 7, 2026 - From state capitols to local landmarks, nearly 12,000 youth leaders are uniting to lead collective action projects and strengthen their civic voices for this year’s ‘National Day of Social Action.’

July 7, 2026 | National