It's not too late to register to attend Next Steps in Dismantling the Cradle to Prison Pipeline on December 6th. This special child policy convening will give you the opportunity to come together with Children's Defense Fund President and Founder Marian Wright Edelman and other leading children's advocates to find innovative ways to dismantle the cradle to prison pipeline that too often funnels our brightest minds from childhood into the criminal justice system. Register now »

Beginning December 4th, Dr. Edelman will be joining other childen's advocacy events in Los Angeles to lend her years of experience and insight to the unique challenges facing children and youth in California. Click here for events, locations and times »

Thank you for continuing to step up for children. Together we can #DismantleIt. 

23rd Annual Beat the Odds Awards Dinner

You are invited to join the Children's Defense Fund - California and Hollywood's most luminous stars at the Beverly Hills Hotel in Beverly Hills on Thursday, December 5th as we celebrate the lives of five high school seniors who have overcome tremendous obstacles to achieve academic and personal excellence. Meet our 2013 honorees and get ticketing information »

Do you know a high school sophmore who is beating the odds? We are currently accepting applications for the 2014 Beat the Odds Scholarship program. Visit our website to learn more and download the application packet »

Students Push Back Against School Push Out

Over 200 students, parents and youth advocates spoke out at a Long Beach Unified School Board meeting last month to demand the adoption of a resolution to curb the excessive use of suspensions and expulsions to address student behavior– and the school board listened.  

Congratulations to the members of the Every Student Matters Campaign for their tireless advocacy in Long Beach in favor of more supportive and restorative approaches to school discipline that improve school climates, build strong bonds between students and faculty, and raise student achievement. Get involved in the growing movement to ensure that every student matters»

We Moved!

The Southern California office of the Children’s Defense Fund – California has moved to downtown Los Angeles! Our new office on the fifth floor of the historic MALDEF building, located at 634 South Spring Street, suite 500C. Make sure to update your contact lists - and definitely stop by to check out our new place!