Children's Defense Fund

Dear John,

Last week, President Biden signed into law the American Rescue Plan, a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package that marks a critical step forward in the fight for our children’s future. This is a bigger, bolder response to COVID-19 that families across the country have called for and so desperately need.

By now you’ve probably heard about the American Rescue Plan, but you may still have questions about what it means for your family and your community. My colleagues on our national policy team and I have tried to answer some of the biggest questions.

Q: What is the American Rescue Plan?

A: The American Rescue Plan is a major economic stimulus package that will provide immediate relief for children and families, work to address the racial and economic injustices COVID-19 has exacerbated, and take a long-overdue step toward ending our nation’s shameful child poverty crisis by cutting child poverty in half.

Q: How will it help children and families?

A: This package includes several different forms of direct aid for parents and families that will make an immediate difference for those who are struggling. It extends key supports that have been helping families impacted by the crisis for the past year, like housing and nutrition assistance. The American Rescue Plan also includes long-awaited investments in child care and education that will finally help children get back in schools and parents get back to work.

Q: What can I expect to see as a result of the American Rescue Plan?

A: Millions of parents will receive a new per-child allowance beginning this summer, which will arrive in the form of a monthly check to help families afford the everyday expenses of raising children. The Children’s Defense Fund has fought for this for years, working closely with our partners to push for the expansion of this key support for families, which will lift millions of children out of poverty this year. Many adults can also expect to receive another stimulus check for themselves and their dependents. Affordable health coverage will be expanded, unemployment benefits for those who have lost work will be extended through the summer, and there is new support for those who need to take family leave. Communities will also get the funding and supplies they need to ramp up COVID-19 vaccinations and testing.

You can learn more about what the American Rescue Plan means for children and families here.

For the last year, we have called on Congress to take action and prioritize the support children and families need, and we couldn’t have done it without your help. We will continue to build upon this progress to ensure our country truly protects the health and well-being of all our children—and we will keep you informed every step of the way.