Child Abuse & Neglect

Preventing child abuse and neglect starts with investing in stronger families. And, when abuse or neglect happens, children need swift but thoughtful action that gives them the best possible chance to grow up in a safe, nurturing home and build successful, adult lives. The choices made by federal policymakers shape state decisions. We work with them to inform and advance the right choices.

Resources


SCOTUS could scuttle “gold standard” in child welfare

| November 9, 2022 |

Indian Child Welfare Act prioritizes family reunification   The case before the U.S. Supreme Court today challenging a 1978 law governing the welfare of Native


How Congress can reduce economic hardship & stabilize families now

| October 19, 2022 |

We learned recently that improvements to the Child Tax Credit enacted in 2021 through the American Rescue Plan Act nearly cut our child poverty


Issue Brief: The Case for a Cross-Agency Priority (CAP) on Child Well-being

| August 2, 2022 |

THE CHALLENGE  The American people expect government policy to advance the best interests of children. Yet, the data shows that U.S. policy lacks the high-level


Why Paris Hilton and I were at the Capitol yesterday

| October 21, 2021 |

You may have heard that Paris Hilton made a visit to Congress yesterday. Social media certainly stood up and paid attention when they heard


Administration’s approach to gender-based violence needs to consider children

| July 9, 2021 |

President Biden recently announced the United States’ commitments to the Generation Equality Forum, a global initiative to achieve equality and opportunity for women and


Statement: “Best interests of children” must govern policy

| June 3, 2021 |

In response to Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s order to revoke the licenses of facilities serving unaccompanied minors, First Focus on Children President Bruce Lesley


Letter: The first — and next — 100 days

| May 4, 2021 |

First Focus on Children sent the following letter to President Joseph Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris congratulating them on the achievements of their


Fact Sheet: The REAL impact of COVID-19 on kids

| April 22, 2021 |

Way back at the beginning of this pandemic, a narrative took hold that kids are not affected. Now, more than a year in, it


More than ever, we need Champions for Children — these are policymakers meeting the moment

| February 4, 2021 |

Our nation’s children face multiple challenges to their well-being stemming from years of a declining share of federal investments in their future, the COVID-19


Key Stats on the Effect of COVID-19 on Kids

| 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