Houston Strong

Credit: Thomas B. Shea/Agence France-Presse

The board and staff of the Children's Defense Fund send our heart-filled prayers and support to all facing loss and hardship following the devastating damage wrought by Hurricane Harvey. We call upon federal, state, and local leaders to ensure proper attention is paid to the needs of children, older adults, the homeless, refugees, and differently abled as resources are distributed to respond to the widespread loss. To the CDF-Texas staff, our CDF Freedom Schools partners, and the many friends and supporters in Texas, we hold you in our hearts and thoughts.

All Eyes Now on CHIP

Congress returns to Washington next week and one of the critical items to address before the end of September is funding for the bipartisan Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). For 20 years CHIP has ensured millions of children access to high-quality, child-appropriate affordable health coverage. CHIP has helped reduce the number of uninsured children by half, improved health outcomes and access to care for children, and as a result helped reduce school absenteeism and improve children’s readiness to learn. Today, CHIP is a lifeline for 8.9 million children in families that earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but cannot afford private coverage. But unless Congress takes action, the funding for this highly successful program will end after September 30, 2017. Millions of children could lose health coverage and millions more would pay more for less comprehensive coverage, making them all worse off than they are today. Facing the risk that this CHIP funding could soon end, many states are poised to establish waiting lists and send out disenrollment notices to families. Such actions would create chaos in program administration and confusion for families seeking health care for their children. After many, many months fighting to protect Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act (ACA), our combined efforts to move forward, not backwards for children must continue. Congress must act now to avoid any disruption to children’s health coverage and enact a strong, clean extension of CHIP funding for at least five years. 

Make a Difference, One Children’s Defense Fund Freedom Schools^® Program at a Time!

The CDF Freedom Schools program helps children dream big, fall in love with books, and make a difference. Over this summer more than 12,000 children in 26 states and the District of Columbia have been empowered through this literacy-rich, child-centric, fun-infused, and love-immersed experience. Learn more about how the CDF Freedom Schools program is making a difference for children and communities across the country in a small sample of CDF Freedom Schools stories below.

“Students leave more prepared for their next grade level. They exit with a greater voice to serve in the classroom and the community.” Dr. Henry N. Tisdale, Claflin University President.
More: Claflin's Freedom School aims to curb summer learning loss

“When you get 100 scholars and their families being transformed, then that means they begin to relate to the rest of the community and the entire community becomes transformed.” Rev. Lawrence Livingston, Pastor, Mother African Union Church.
More: Wilmington's Freedom School focuses on transforming communities

“During the six weeks of programing, our scholars have gained up to five reading achievement levels. Read Lead CDF Freedom Schools program scholars are going back to school ahead of their peers, ready and eager to learn.” Cassandra Chase, co-founder of Read Lead.
More: Read Lead Children’s Defense Fund Freedom Schools Help to Close Achievement Gap 

Experience What Hope Feels Like on November 7^th

The Children’s Defense Fund invites you to join CDF President Marian Wright Edelman for an inspirational evening honoring five extraordinary Washington, D.C. area scholars who have overcome tremendous adversity and are beating the odds. Bring your family, friends and coworkers to the 2017 CDF Beat the Odds^® Celebration on November 7^th at the Newseum in Washington, D.C. to congratulate our future leaders and experience what hope feels like.

We are excited to introduce you to our 2017 honorees. See you November 7^th! Buy your tickets today.

Elsa Serrano Arita – Herndon High School: Herndon, VA
Jonathan Benitez – Washington Latin Public Charter School: Washington, D.C.
Christian Ndaye – Cardozo Education Campus: Washington, D.C.
Tallya Rhodes – H.D. Woodson Senior High School: Washington, D.C.
Khalis Williams – Oxon Hill High School: Oxon Hill, MD

Move Forward With Hope

Encourage your faith community to participate in the 26^th Annual National Observance of Children’s Sabbaths^® Celebration, "Moving Forward with Hope: Love and Justice for Every Child." This year's celebration will be October 20-22, 2017, uniting places of worship across the religious spectrum throughout the nation. Local faith communities are invited to join this occasion to highlight and respond to the needs of children, especially children experiencing deep poverty, hunger, homelessness, and lack of health care, through worship services, educational programs, caring action, and speaking out for justice. The Children's Sabbath weekend serves as a springboard for renewed and expanded efforts to improve the lives of children throughout the year. Download this year's free, easy-to-use multi-faith resources on our website.

Make an Impact!

The Children’s Defense Fund is launching the Child Defender Fellowship to offer community leaders and activists an opportunity to build skills, influence local systems impacting children, and build communities that will further social justice to ensure all American children have a fair start and equal opportunities in their lifetime. Sign up on our website today and learn more about how you can become a Child Defender Fellow.

Standing Up for the Most Vulnerable Students in Long Beach

Credit: Long Beach Post

The Children's Defense Fund-California continues to work with community organizations and parents to ensure greater transparency and equity in the way in which Long Beach Unified School District (LBUSD) spends its funding to support and provide services for high-need students. On August 23, the coalition filed an appeal with the state Department of Education over how LBUSD, the third largest school district in California, is spending its Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) money.

“This is an important day for Long Beach students and for LCFF implementation in California,” said Shimica Gaskins, executive director of Children’s Defense Fund-California. “Students and educators win when LCFF supplemental and concentration funds are properly spent to improve and increase services for high need students. CDF-CA is here to help hold systems accountable to that end.” Back in April, the coalition filed a complaint. As a result, LBUSD has already redistributed more than $17 million dollars for programs and services targeted for the low-income, English language learners, and foster youth students. Learn more about the effort.