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
More than ever, we need Champions for Children — these are policymakers meeting the moment
Bruce Lesley, First Focus Campaign for Children | 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
Aubrey Edwards-Luce, Averi Pakulis, Cara Baldari, Carrie Fitzgerald, Christopher Towner, Conor Sasner, Kathy Sacco, Michelle Dallafior, Miriam Abaya, Olivia Gomez | 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 …
2020 State Ratings Report on Human Rights Protections for Children in the U.S. Justice System
Aubrey Edwards-Luce, First Focus Campaign for Children | November 5, 2020 |
The advocacy organization Human Rights for Kids released its 2020 National State Ratings Report this week. The first-of-its-kind report evaluates how all 50 states …
New Research Supports Investing in the Needs of Young People in Foster Care During the Pandemic
Aubrey Edwards-Luce | October 21, 2020 |
Adulting is hard, but for the 20,000 youth who “age out” of foster care each year, suddenly required to be self-sufficient, it is downright …
2020 Children’s Budget Summit: Lawmakers and educators discuss continued decline in children’s share of federal spending
Michele Kayal | September 30, 2020 |
This year has delivered an unprecedented public health emergency and an economic crisis that has disrupted every facet of the lives of children and …
Children’s Budget 2020
| September 29, 2020 |
About Children’s Budget 20202: First Focus on Children is proud to introduce the 14th annual release of its signature Children’s Budget publication. While the …
Congress Must Act Quickly to Pass Additional Relief for Struggling Children and Families
Aubrey Edwards-Luce, Averi Pakulis, Bruce Lesley, Cara Baldari, Carrie Fitzgerald, Christopher Towner, Claire Williams, Conor Sasner, Michelle Dallafior, Olivia Gomez, 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 …
Kids & COVID Conversation Series: Understanding Child Abuse During a Pandemic
Brooke Gumataotao | July 2, 2020 |
In our first Kids & COVID Conversation, First Focus President Bruce Lesley spoke with a panel of experts on understanding child abuse during the …
Statement: Foster care order misses the mark
Michele Kayal | July 2, 2020 |
The Administration’s recent Executive Order regarding the child welfare system acknowledges several important shortfalls, but sadly misses the opportunity to make real progress toward …
Racism is hurting Black children in schools, hospitals — even child care — and it’s up to adults to protect them
Aubrey Edwards-Luce | June 29, 2020 |
This article was originally posted on MarketWatch.com. Racism forces non-white children in the U.S. to pay compounding costs with their well-being. It starts early …