First Focus Campaign for Children

12/04/2025

We’re grateful to the members of Congress who reached across the aisle to introduce the Global Child Thrive Reauthorization Act, which will protect children in some of the world’s poorest countries.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/48vHbwN

11/19/2025

The fight to protect youth from institutional abuse continues. Learn about new policy efforts from our friends like First Focus Campaign for Children, Unsilenced Project Inc., The National Center for LGBTQ Rights, National Disability Rights Network, & more!!!

09/16/2025

We’re proud to support the FAMILY Act, which ensures children and families have the support they need during life’s most vulnerable moments.

Paid leave is proven to strengthen children’s health and development by allowing caregivers to focus time on their loved ones without the fear of losing their jobs.

Children thrive when their families are supported.

08/26/2025

Supporters of H.R. 1 point to an increase in the Child Tax Credit from $2,000 to $2,200 as a “step forward.” At first glance, that may seem helpful — but the truth is, this small bump:

1️⃣ Is less than half of what was discussed on the campaign trail.
2️⃣ Doesn’t come close to covering inflation.
3️⃣ Keeps families who need the CTC the most from receiving the full credit, while also stripping funding for Medicaid, SNAP, and other key programs—leaving some kids even further behind.

Congress must pass the American Family Act to provide every child with a Child Tax Credit that supports their needs.

07/14/2025

Call (202) 224-3121 and tell your senator: Vote NO on the Rescissions Package.

This week, the senate will vote on a package that includes a devastating $400 million cut to the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).

This includes funding for programs that 6.6 million orphans and vulnerable children rely on for HIV treatment, as well as for nutritious food, school access, and transportation to care. ��

Without this support, millions of children are at risk.

Urge your senator: Vote NO. Kids’ lives depend on it. ��

07/03/2025

A country that fails its children fails itself and everyone’s future.

In his newest blog, First Focus Campaign for Children's president, Bruce Lesley, outlines how H.R.1 impacts the health, safety, education, and well-being of America’s children. Calling the bill an ‘unprecedented betrayal of America’s future,’ Lesley shows how H.R.1 could be the most consequential piece of legislation for children in our lifetime.

Read the full analysis of what H.R.1 means for kids: https://brucelesley.substack.com/p/hr-1-puts-children-last-an-unprecedented

A Moment of Moral Reckoning

07/01/2025

Last week members of the Republican party expressed concerns over proposals put forth in the Senate reconciliation bill to cut Medicaid/CHIP funding. First Focus Campaign for Children urges these members to build on their public and private advocacy and vote NO to Medicaid/CHIP cuts.

Medicaid and CHIP are critical programs that protect the health and well-being of children across the nation. With the magnitude of the cuts under consideration, children's health coverage and access to care will inevitably be harmed. This post shows how many children and babies are supported by Medicaid in the respective members’ state.

05/22/2025

Under the sweeping budget bill the House passed last night, over 10 million people, including children, will lose access to health care, millions of others will go hungry. And that’s before we even get to the provisions that will decimate public education by installing a federal voucher program that is specifically designed to help wealthy people avoid capital gains taxes. Or the Child Tax Credit that will leave behind 20 million children because their parents make too little to qualify and will discriminate against nearly 5 million young citizens because their parents don’t have a Social Security number. Or the myriad other cuts that will intentionally harm children.

05/16/2025

The numbers say it all—Medicaid is a CHILDREN'S program.

Join us in calling on our elected officials to prioritize the well-being of children and reject cuts to Medicaid.
https://campaignforchildren.org/take-action/tell-congress-reject-any-cuts-to-medicaid-chip/

05/03/2025

Closing the Department of Education means taking away a voice for kids in the President's Cabinet.

In a recent conversation, Bruce Lesley and Lily Klam discuss the impact of shutting down the department and how budget cuts, staff layoffs, and a push for school vouchers will harm the education of millions of students.

Watch the full conversation here: https://brucelesley.substack.com/p/conversation-with-lily-klam-how-budget?utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=promo

05/02/2025

The recent mass layoffs at the Administration for Children & Families are far-reaching and can’t be ignored. Here are 5 things you need to know.

More: https://firstfocus.org/resource/job-losses/?utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=promo

04/30/2025

For 100 days we've been speaking out and pushing back against the astounding array of threats to children from the Trump Administration.

Stay connected as we continue to fight to protect the education, health, and well-being of all kids. We’ll keep you informed on the most urgent issues and share ways you can be a voice for kids when they need it most.