Our Voice for Children
March 2020
Protecting Children and Families During the COVID-19 Crisis
As we face a widespread, national health crisis, we hope you are taking steps to keep yourself, your loved ones, and your community safe. We're fighting every day to ensure that the nation's children have the support they need to thrive during such an uncertain time—that means urging federal and state-level action in the best interest of children, sharing up-to-date resources with your family, and looking out for the CDF community. We're so grateful to supporters like you who are making this work possible.
"Our work at the national level and in states around the country remains committed to the increasingly urgent work of protecting our most vulnerable children and families."
- Max Lesko, National Executive Director
To learn more about the Children's Defense Fund's response to the ongoing crisis and to find a list of resources, visit our COVID-19 response hub.
The Latest from Congress
On March 25, the Senate passed a $2 trillion relief package meant to help stabilize the U.S. economy and provide some relief to households reeling from the coronavirus crisis. Read our response to the bill, including an analysis of the provisions that will provide much-needed support to children and families and an account of the critical next steps that must be taken to protect our country’s most vulnerable.
Advocating for All Children
The outbreak of coronavirus and the country-wide response have been stressful for us all, but for some children and families, the pandemic could mean severe instability or even crisis. Our state and national policy teams are hard at work ensuring that the needs of the most vulnerable children remain a priority.
We're leading a national coalition to push for essential protections for children and families in the child welfare system, which were shamefully left out of the historic $2 trillion COVID-19 relief package passed last week.
Children all over the country have had their education disrupted, as schools have been forced to close. For those who have access to an internet-connected device, we've shared a list of virtual education resources that can ensure learning continues.
Our state offices are providing real-time updates and working hard to connect our communities with local resources to meet the needs of this unique time. Visit your local office's website to access state-specific information and resources:
A Great Way to Stay Connected: Read Aloud!
There’s a lot our children need to feel safe and secure right now, and with so many children out of school, one of those is the space to just enjoy a good book. With that in mind, we've been sharing a favorite CDF Freedom Schools® tradition via social media—Read Aloud! Click below to watch our team and partners read a few of our favorite children's books out loud, and be sure to share the videos with friends and family.
Child Watch Roundup
In a Child Watch column last week, Marian Wright Edelman shared inspiring stories of public officials who are letting children drive the conversation around coronavirus response as a reminder that our children's well-being must always be top of mind.
Catch up on the rest of Marian Wright Edelman's recent Child Watch columns:
Be sure to look for a new Child Watch column every Friday afternoon.
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