Federal Budget

When it comes to prioritizing children in the federal budget, Congress is badly out-of-step with the needs and wants of the American people. While voters think more than one-fourth of federal resources should be invested in children, Congress allocates less than 8 percent. First Focus is working to change that, by publicizing detailed analyses of fiscal proposals from a children’s perspective, publishing an annual Children’s Budget, and advancing policy solutions to ensure that children are the priority in the federal budget.

Resources


Shutdown 2023: What kids will lose

| September 29, 2023 |

As Congress careens toward a government shutdown that would begin just after midnight on Saturday, we’re thinking about what it means for kids. Here’s what


Cutting Kids: What a Shutdown Means for WIC Participants

| September 29, 2023 |

For more than 50 years, the Supplemental Assistance Program for Women, Infants, and Children, better known as WIC, has been one of the most


Congress Is Shortchanging Children

| September 27, 2023 |

As part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) in 2021, Congress made unprecedented investments in children, as the share of federal spending on kids rose


Children’s Budget 2023: Funding negotiations endanger children’s health, education, and well-being

| September 21, 2023 |

New report from First Focus on Children tracks decline in share of federal spending on kids A new report from First Focus on Children


Children’s Budget Summit 2023

Event September 22, 2023 |

Sep 22 2023 Ended Children's Budget Summit 2023 Senate Budget Committee Hearing Room, Washington, DC


New research shows baby and toddler programs need greater funding

| August 24, 2023 |

“Babies in the Budget” outlines federal investment in the nation’s youngest children WASHINGTON, August 23, 2023 — New research released today shows that the federal government


Babies in the Budget

| August 23, 2023 |

Babies in the Budget — a report co-authored by ZERO TO THREE and First Focus on Children — examines federal investment in the nation’s


Watch: Invest In Kids Briefing

| June 15, 2023 |

Join in celebrating Father’s Day and Children’s Week by attending a briefing with Congressional leaders, Administration officials, and child advocates focused on the importance


Invest in Kids Briefing

Event June 15, 2023 |

Jun 15 2023 Ended Invest in Kids Briefing Whittall Pavilion at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC Join in celebrating Father’s Day and Children’s


Four ways the debt ceiling bill hurts kids

| June 1, 2023 |

Last night the House passed a debt ceiling bill that will stave off disaster for the country as a whole, but will hurt millions