News
Children’s Week 2022
Children’s Week, which runs from June 12-18, unfolds this year as the country slides backwards on historic gains made for children. With robust leadership and near unprecedented commitment to children during the pandemic, lawmakers made the most significant investment in decades in children. Legislation passed in response to the coronavirus pandemic — including the improved Child Tax Credit — increased the share of federal spending on children from 7.64% to a historic 11.15%.
Since then, more than 3 million children have slid back into poverty as lawmakers allowed those measures to expire. More than 6 million children are poised to lose their health insurance. A baby formula shortage threatens infants nationwide. And, once again, an American town is mourning the loss of elementary school children and teachers murdered in their classrooms.
Throughout the week, organizations will brief members of Congress on Capitol Hill, host webinars and Twitter chats, and engage Hill staff on important decisions around FY 2023 spending, economic and covid aid, tax credits, gun violence, food insecurity, child care, and other challenges facing children.
Children’s Week Calendar of Events
6/13 | 10:00 am ET — Poll Release: The American People Strongly Support Making Investments In the Our Children and Grandchildren by Lake Research
Stay tuned for more information
6/14 | 12:00 pm ET — Trailblazers of Today: US Foreign Assistance and the Impact on Youth Engagement
Location: Rayburn HOB 2044 | Register Here
6/15 |1 pm — CTAN #PlylerDACA TweetChat
Location: Twitter | Join In
6/15 | 2 pm ET — #WellnessWed Children’s Week TweetChat w/ @MomsRising
Location: Twitter | Join In
6/17 | 1 pm ET — Webinar: Promoting Racial Justice in the Child Welfare System
Location: Virtual | Register Here
Active Children’s Community Requests for the Administration and Congressional Leadership
https://firstfocus.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Joint-Letter-Presidential-Proclamation-Request-CW2022.pdf 
https://firstfocus.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Letter-to-Schumer_Pelosi-Childrens-Week-2022.pdf
Legislative
- Co-sponsor legislation that will make a difference in the lives of children
- Work with leadership to advance bills during the week that benefit children
- Take to the floor to speak on the realities children experience and the need for Congress to take action Continue to advocate for the child provisions to be included in the reconciliation package
Communication
- Post on social media with the hashtags #ChildrensWeek2022 and #ItsAKidsIssue
- Add a Children’s tab to your website to highlight the ways you are working for children
- Host a press conference on the state of kids and the policy that will address their most urgent needs
Public Engagement
- Invite children’s groups to meet during the week
- Commit to meeting with children and youth to hear directly from the young people you represent
Ways for Advocates to Take Action
- Ensure that children and youth are prioritized in the planning and execution of The White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health
- Thank a Champion for Children
- Tell Congress: Pass Build Back Better for our kids
- Tell Congress to Make CHIP Permanent
- Hold Congress Accountable for Ending Child Poverty