Who We Are
First Focus on Children produces cutting-edge analyses, policy briefs, and events to educate lawmakers and the American public about the issues facing children. Our sister organization, First Focus Campaign for Children, evaluates specific pieces of legislation for their impact on children, and helps mobilize public response in support of kids. First Focus on Children also leads two influential cross-sector coalitions in the child advocacy community, the Children's Budget Coalition and the Child Poverty Action Group.
What we do
Since beginning our work in 2005, First Focus on Children has achieved positive change for children using a comprehensive advocacy strategy guided by hands-on policy expertise. Our goal is to lead lawmakers and the American public from awareness of problems to actions that solve them.
Raise Awareness
Develop and Promote Policy Solutions
Build Political Will
Take Action
Our impact
National surveys, members of Congress, and Capitol Hill staff consistently name First Focus on Children the country’s leading bipartisan voice for kids. Our many successes include:
3 million
Led the decade-long effort to enact the improved Child Tax Credit, which lifted 3 million children out of poverty in 2021. First Focus on Children persuaded Congress to fund the 2019 landmark study that staked out the changes and currently assists lawmakers fighting to make the measures permanent.
10 years
Helped rescue the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) after its expiration in 2017 by working with Congress to extend the program’s authorization by a record 10 years. First Focus on Children has also won continuous 12-month enrollment for children in some Medicaid programs and successfully advocated to eliminate the Affordable Care Act’s “family glitch,” which deprived more than 2 million children of health insurance.
Age 26
Spearheaded efforts to reform child welfare by passing the Family First Prevention Services Act. First Focus on Children’s policy experts also helped secure Medicaid coverage for foster youth until age 26, just as their peers are covered to age 26 by parental health insurance.