Children's Advocates for Change

11/18/2025

CAFC's VP for Public Policy, Mitch Lifson, participated in a Friday panel discussion at Loyola University Chicago's School of Law on the consequences to children of current federal budgeting and policy.

11/12/2025

As part of CAFC’s Youth Public Policy Leadership Committee Program, students at Christ the King Jesuit College Prep in Chicago made advocacy pitches on Monday to elected officials and policymakers who provided input on the presentations.

10/30/2025

The Administration must use all available options to fund November benefits for the 1 in 8 people in the U.S. who need SNAP to afford their grocery bill.

10/29/2025

Democrat-led states, including Illinois, sued the Trump administration over food aid benefits set to end for tens of millions of Americans.

10/22/2025

Illinois is facing some significant budget shortfalls for this fiscal year and future years. You can read about it in our latest blog post at https://bit.ly/statefinances.

10/01/2025

Read CAFC President Dr. Tasha Green Cruzat's statement on a federal government shutdown and call to our elected officials to meet the challenge. https://childrensadvocates.org/message-from-the-cafcs-president-meeting-the-challenge-of-a-federal-government-shutdown/

09/22/2025

CAFC was honored to join UVC at its Raising Our Voices event where we discussed recent state mental health legislation and upcoming Medicaid changes.

Our September 18 Raising Our Voices event, 2025 UVC Advocacy Focus: YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH was a powerful reminder that when we come together, change is possible.

At United Voices for Children, our mission is to advocate for the well-being of every child — and your presence, energy, and commitment brought that mission to life.

💡 Together, we lifted up stories, shared solutions, and renewed our vision of a world where children thrive in systems of justice, equity, and compassion.

To every participant, partner, and supporter: thank you for showing up, speaking out, and standing with children and families across Illinois.

Let’s keep the momentum going — because every voice counts, and every child matters. 💛

Kids Above AllRosecranceMYSI CorporationNorthern Illinois Conference - UMCChildren's Advocates for ChangeAbout Face TheatreCommunity UMC (Naperville, IL)United Voices for ChildrenThe United Methodist Church

09/17/2025

We look forward to joining our advocacy partner United Voices for Children at this event!

We’re thrilled to welcome Children’s Advocate for Change to our upcoming event, Raising Our Voices 2025 – Advocacy Focus: Youth Mental Health!

📣 They’ll bring us critical Federal & State legislative updates, ensuring kids’ needs are heard in Springfield and beyond. ✨

📅 Thursday, Sept. 18 | 10 AM | Community UMC, Naperville
🔗 Save your seat: https://unitedvoicesforchildren.org/2025-raising-our-voices-registration-form/

Children's Advocates for Change

08/07/2025

Our advocacy partner, United Voices for Children, will be taking a closer look at youth mental health issues at a September 18th convening. You can find out more about the event at https://unitedvoicesforchildren.org/programs/raisingourvoices/.

08/05/2025

The credit rises to $2,200, but its new requirements will shut out an estimated 2.7 million American children.

08/04/2025

https://capitolnewsillinois.com/news/pritzker-signs-bill-to-implement-mental-health-screenings-in-schools/

Illinois schools will offer free annual mental health screenings for students under a new law signed by Pritzker.

07/28/2025

As we get further away from the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, student absenteeism is still a major issue. Read about it in our 2025 Data Book on the Well-Being of Illinois Children: https://bit.ly/CAFCDatabook . Our thanks to Schreiber Philanthropy and others for their sponsorship of this project.