There has been a flurry of activity in Washington this week as the current short-term budget expires next Friday—on April 8th. So far bipartisan agreement on long-term spending remains elusive. Children of all ages remain in danger, as some lawmakers continue to set their sights on drastic cuts to Head Start, Community Health Centers, Pell Grants, and other lifelines for poor children and families.

Did you know that in 2010 corporate profits grew at their fastest rate since 1950 yet many of the most profitable paid no federal taxes at all? Did you know the richest 400 Americans have more wealth than half of all American households combined yet four months ago Congress extended their tax cuts and increased the deficit by 100s of billions of dollars?

Some members of Congress are choosing billionaires over babies and corporations over children in what seems to be a concerted effort to Leave No Corporation Behind. Download our new Budget Watch Trade Offs document and arm yourself with the facts.

Visit our Budget Watch Web page to stay up-to-date on the latest budget news. Watch Marian Wright Edelman’s recent interview on CBS’ “The Talk” in which she gives a resounding call to action for women to raise a ruckus before it’s too late and Congress balances the budget on the backs of babies and the poor. We urge all of you to raise a ruckus and raise your voice for children.

On March 14 Black faith, community, education, and business leaders from around the country convened at CDF’s national office for a 2-day “Black Community Crusade for Children Teach-In and Lobby Day.”

Monday evening’s “Teach-In” featured experts on education reform who emphasized the urgent need to address zero tolerance policies that push poor and minority children out of school, ensure an equitable distribution of the best teachers and leaders to high-poverty districts, and hold schools and districts accountable for providing all children with a high quality education. Learn more about CDF’s priorities for the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) on our education page.

On Tuesday morning, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan spoke to the group about the Administration’s goals to level the education playing field for all children. The Secretary urged parents to raise a ruckus, organize, and demand that schools provide their children with a quality education.

Visit our multi-media gallery and subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch videos of Secretary Duncan’s address and others from the meeting. CDF presents substantive talks from thought leaders on children and child advocacy through video.

The Proctor Institute features an all-star line-up of the nation’s great preachers and teachers. Clergy, seminarians, religious educators, young adults, and congregation members who advocate for or serve children and families will gather at CDF Haley Farm July 18-22, 2011. Inspiring preaching on justice, informative sessions on urgent children’s concerns and dynamic workshops equip participants to advocate and organize more effectively to build the movement to create caring, justice-seeking congregations and communities to nurture and protect all children. Participants return home inspired, energized, and transformed; ready to lead their congregations and communities to improve the lives of children. Learn more about the Proctor Institute and register now to attend. Don’t miss it!

In March, we celebrated the 1st Anniversary of the Affordable Care Act. We celebrated the children with pre-existing conditions who can no longer be denied health coverage and the 1.2 million young adults under age 26 who have gained coverage through their parents’ plans. We celebrated that never again will a child have their coverage taken away when they get sick, be charged co-payments for preventive services, or face a limit on the amount of services they receive through unjust annual or lifetime benefit caps. Happy Birthday to the Affordable Care Act! You can learn more about the relief it’s brought—and will continue to bring—to children and families across the country on our children’s health Web page.

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