First Focus on Children

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First Focus on Children A bipartisan advocacy organization committed to making children and families a priority in federal policy and budget decisions. Learn more: www.firstfocus.org

First Focus is a bipartisan advocacy organization dedicated to making children and families a priority in federal policy and budget decisions. Children’s health, education, family economics, child welfare, and child safety are the five core issue areas around which First Focus is working to promote bipartisan policy solutions. While not the only organization working to improve public policies that impact kids, First Focus approaches children’s advocacy in a unique way. Key components include:

Bipartisanship: First Focus bridges the partisan divide to make kids the policymaking focus. This commitment is reflected in First Focus’s advisory board and leadership team, research partners, and its drive to find bipartisan policy solutions that benefit children and families. New Partnerships: First Focus is working to bring leaders in child advocacy together with groups not traditionally engaged in policy efforts relating to children and families – including prominent private sector partners. Research for Results: First Focus engages a new generation of academic experts to examine issues affecting children from multiple points of view in an effort to create innovative policy proposals. Engaging State Leaders: First Focus convenes cross-sector leaders in key states to influence federal policy and budget debates, and to advocate for federal policies that will ensure a brighter future for the next generation of America’s leaders.

10/16/2026

For many families, keeping kids fed takes more than one source of support 🍽️

Tramelle Howard, Director of Education Trust Louisiana, highlights the vital role school meals and SNAP play in supporting children.

This , we can’t talk about the importance of school meals without recognizing what’s at stake when food assistance is cut. Reducing SNAP benefits puts additional pressure on families across the country and risks making it harder to ensure children have consistent access to nutritious food.

School meals matter. SNAP matters. Kids matter.

10/12/2026

This National School Lunch Week, we’re highlighting why every meal matters for kids 🍎🎒

Since 1962, National School Lunch Week has celebrated the importance of healthy school meals in fueling students’ learning, growth, and success—both in and out of the classroom.

When kids are hungry, it can be harder to focus, learn, and thrive. Hear directly from educators and school staff who see the impact of hunger every day and understand why access to school meals is so important.

Every child deserves the opportunity to learn without hunger standing in the way.

10/09/2026

Over the last five years, the share of federal spending on children has dropped more than 30% 📉

Just 8.43% of all federal spending goes toward kids — or $8.43 for every $100 the government spends elsewhere. Cuts made to children’s programs by the One Big Beautiful Bill are likely to push that number even lower.

What does the data tell us about the future of our children? Our annual Children’s Budget provides a comprehensive look at federal investments in children across more than 250 government programs.

Take a closer look at the link in our bio.

08/22/2026

The impacts of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) aren’t on the horizon. They’re already here.

One year after the law’s passage, our new report finds that enrollment in Connecticut has fallen by more than 62,000 people, while federal food assistance dollars are disappearing from communities across the state.

And the costs don’t disappear when federal support is cut. They shift. To families struggling to afford food, to food banks and schools, to towns and local businesses, and to the state itself.

Based on the enrollment drop, now stands to lose approximately $155 million a year in SNAP benefits, while facing roughly $131 million in new annual state costs under the law.

CT has an opportunity to support our residents with state-level programming. Tax reform can fund food assistance for children and families who need it, but the State needs to act NOW.

Read our new report, to see what’s already happening and what Connecticut can do next: https://ctvoices.org/publication/shifting-costs-eroding-access-the-early-impacts-of-the-one-big-beautiful-bill-act-on-snap-in-connecticut/

08/22/2026

Head Start programs nationwide are facing uncertain futures as the federal government stalls the funding competition process indefinitely.

🏫 Read more: https://bit.ly/4xGjA7y

08/21/2026

When public policy affects children, their best interests should be at the center of every decision.

Our president, Bruce Lesley, joined the Center for American Progress and America’s Voice to discuss the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement policies and how they are affecting kids.

Family separation, enforcement actions in schools, hospitals, and child care centers, and the detention of children all have real consequences. Kids deserve policies that protect their safety and well-being—not deepen their fear.

08/03/2026

When children are undercounted in the U.S. Census, resources disappear. 📉

An inaccurate count can mean less funding for health care, housing, schools, parks, nutrition programs, and other essential services that children rely on.

At the Count All Kids in the 2030 Census Briefing, hosted by our sister organization First Focus Campaign for Children, we spoke with the Mayor of El Paso, Alejandra Chávez, about why an accurate count matters.

Every child counted helps communities plan, invest, and thrive.

07/24/2026

SNAP supports kids inside and outside the classroom 🍎

Our Senior Vice President of Economic Security, Chad Bolt, joined the Breaking Through podcast from MomsRising.org to discuss the critical role SNAP plays in supporting children.

SNAP is more than a nutrition program—it helps improve children’s long-term health outcomes, strengthens family stability, and supports educational success. At school, SNAP also plays a critical role in children’s learning and social development.

Click the link in our bio to listen to the full episode and learn why protecting SNAP is essential to helping kids thrive.

07/15/2026

Every child counts, and every child should be counted. đź“Š

An accurate 2030 Census is essential to ensuring children and families receive the resources they need. Yet nearly 1 million children under age 5 were missed in the 2020 Census, with Hispanic and Black children disproportionately undercounted.

When kids aren’t counted, communities miss out on critical federal funding for programs that help children thrive.

First Focus on Children is working to make every kid count. Help us keep it up, donate at the link in our bio.

A look back at Children’s Week 2026 💙During the third week of June, our team was joined by child advocates from across t...
07/13/2026

A look back at Children’s Week 2026 💙

During the third week of June, our team was joined by child advocates from across the country to meet with lawmakers and elevate the issues that matter most for children. Swipe through to see the impact we made together.



Making our way to Capitol Hill with young advocates from Seen & Heard Action Network.

Inside the halls of Congress, we had dozens of meetings with staff and members to promote support for kids on key issues, like vaccine access and strengthening children’s health care.

It was standing room only for our Count All Kids in 2030 Census Briefing, hosted by our sister organization First Focus Campaign for Children, Coalition on Human Needs, and nationalleagueofcities. An accurate Census helps ensure funding and resources reach the children and communities that need them most. Yet young children continue to be among the most undercounted in the Census.

Advocates, policymakers, and staffers had many meaningful conversations about the issues shaping children’s futures.

Reflections on the week shared by Sanisha Mahendra-Rajah, Youth Board Member from Seen & Heard Action Network and Dr. Sallie Permar, Chair of the Pediatric Department at Weill Cornell Medicine. Thank you to everyone who dedicated their time to ensuring Congress puts kids first!

Address

1400 Eye Street NW, Suite 650
Washington D.C., DC
20005

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+12026570684

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