Michelle Dallafior Senior Vice President

Michelle Dallafior has more than twenty-three years of experience in policy development, implementation and oversight in both the federal government’s legislative and executive branches advocating for social justice and public policy solutions that create pathways to opportunity for all families and youth. Since leaving the federal government in early 2017, Michelle has been a strong advocate for prioritizing children in the federal budget process, improving tax provisions for working families with children, and increasing access to high-quality early childhood education. Michelle is the Senior Vice President for Budget and Tax at First Focus and directs the Children’s Budget Coalition comprised of seventy participating member organizations.
In fifteen years on Capitol Hill, Michelle worked in several different positions covering a broad range of issues including, economic development, energy, healthcare, environmental justice, labor, criminal justice reform and appropriations. She served as a Legislative Assistant to Senator John Glenn responsible for Great Lakes environmental and maritime policies and garnering bipartisan support for federal funding of Great Lakes protection programs. She advised Congressman Ted Strickland for ten years as his Legislative Director, and ultimately Chief of Staff. In those capacities, she set strategic goals and policy priorities, and oversaw the legislative and oversight activities for the Congressman who served as member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. After the 2006 election, Michelle joined the staff of the House Science and Technology Subcommittee on Energy where she managed a portfolio of energy-related topics including grid modernization, advancement of energy storage technologies, and emerging issues surrounding water management and power production. Michelle joined the Department of Energy (DOE) in 2009 where she advised two Assistant Secretaries on budgetary matters and legislative, political, and strategic initiatives to advance the Administration’s policy objectives and programmatic goals.
Michelle grew up in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, holds a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor and a Master’s in Public Policy from the Georgetown Public Policy Institute, now the McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University. She also holds a certificate in Victim’s Advocacy and volunteers as a Court Appointed Special Advocate in the District of Columbia.
Policy Brief: The Harmful Consequences of Work Requirements and Other Obstacles to Services for Children and Families
Abbie Malloy, Abuko Estrada, Averi Pakulis, Cara Baldari, Michelle Dallafior | April 4, 2023 |
Each year, federal programs provide children with affordable health care, nutritious food, stable housing, and early childhood education. These programs not only lift millions …
Fact Sheet: Key Takeaways from Children’s Budget 2022
Jessica Troe, Michelle Dallafior | October 6, 2022 |
First Focus on Children is proud to release the Children’s Budget 2022, which provides a comprehensive analysis of the share of spending allocated to …
The Family Security Act 2.0 Creates Winners and Losers
Cara Baldari, Michelle Dallafior, Campaign for Children | July 8, 2022 |
Our children are facing some of the most challenging times seen in our nation’s history. America’s historically high rate of child poverty and significant …
One year ago, we proved that we know how to end child poverty — we can’t stop now.
Aubrey Edwards-Luce, Cara Baldari, Michelle Dallafior | March 24, 2022 |
2021 was a landmark year for reducing child poverty in the United States. One-year improvements to the Child Tax Credit (CTC) included in the …
What’s at stake for kids if Congress doesn’t pass Build Back Better
Aubrey Edwards-Luce, Averi Pakulis, Cara Baldari, Carrie Fitzgerald (Former Staff), Conor Sasner (Former Staff), Elaine Dalpiaz, Haley Winter, Kathy Sacco, Michelle Dallafior, Miriam Abaya, Olivia Gomez (Former Staff), First Focus Campaign for Children | December 22, 2021 |
As negotiations have stalled and the fate of the Build Back Better Act hangs in the balance, children stand to lose access to monthly …
2021 is the Year to Prioritize Child Poverty Reduction
Cara Baldari, Michelle Dallafior, First Focus Campaign for Children | January 14, 2021 |
2021 is off to an eventful start, full of tragedy and tumult, but also opportunity for progress with a new incoming Administration and Congress. …
Key Stats on the Effect of COVID-19 on Kids
Aubrey Edwards-Luce, Averi Pakulis, Cara Baldari, Carrie Fitzgerald (Former Staff), Christopher Towner (Former Staff), Conor Sasner (Former Staff), Kathy Sacco, Michelle Dallafior, Miriam Abaya, Olivia Gomez (Former Staff) | November 19, 2020 |
The COVID-19 pandemic is doing more than exposing the racial, ethnic, and economic disparities existing in our society; it is compounding them, and so …
A big chance for Congress to put kids first
Michelle Dallafior, First Focus Campaign for Children | October 21, 2020 |
As Congress and the White House teeter on the edge of compromise for an overdue, additional emergency relief package, the coronavirus has claimed over …
Congress Must Act Quickly to Pass Additional Relief for Struggling Children and Families
Aubrey Edwards-Luce, Averi Pakulis, Bruce Lesley, Cara Baldari, Carrie Fitzgerald (Former Staff), Christopher Towner (Former Staff), Claire Williams, Conor Sasner (Former Staff), Michelle Dallafior, Olivia Gomez (Former Staff), First Focus Campaign for Children | August 10, 2020 |
Given recent spikes in COVID-19 caseloads, an economic crisis that continues to deepen, and an upcoming school year faced with daunting challenges, it is …
Fact Sheet: Aid to Children and Families in the HEROES Act (H.R. 6800)
Aubrey Edwards-Luce, Averi Pakulis, Bruce Lesley, Cara Baldari, Carrie Fitzgerald (Former Staff), Christopher Towner (Former Staff), Drew Aherne (Former Staff), Michelle Dallafior | May 22, 2020 |
As part of ongoing efforts to address the COVID-19 outbreak and resulting economic crisis, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Health and Economic …