Child Abuse & Neglect

Preventing child abuse and neglect starts with investing in stronger families. And, when abuse or neglect happens, children need swift but thoughtful action that gives them the best possible chance to grow up in a safe, nurturing home and build successful, adult lives. The choices made by federal policymakers shape state decisions. We work with them to inform and advance the right choices.
Resources
Joint Letters: Support the bipartisan Strengthening Tribal Families Act of 2022 (H.R. 8954)
| December 16, 2022 |
A coalition of organizations dedicated to holding our country’s child welfare system accountable sent the following letters to leaders of the Senate Finance Committee …
Statement: “Treat Children Like Children”
Michele Kayal | October 21, 2021 |
Bruce Lesley, President at First Focus Campaign for Children, made the following statement as advocacy groups and members of Congress, including Representatives Tony Cárdenas (D- …
COVID relief passes with aid for millions of children
| March 10, 2021 |
Biggest policy gain for children in decades The American Rescue Plan passed just moments ago by the House of Representatives marks the biggest policy …
The Promises We Must Make to Our Children: Recommendations to the Biden-Harris Transition Team
| January 4, 2021 |
The kids are not alright. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic and economic recession, we were failing our kids on a whole range of domestic …
Key Stats on the Effect of COVID-19 on Kids
Aubrey Edwards-Luce, Averi Pakulis, Cara Baldari, Carrie Fitzgerald, Christopher Towner, Conor Sasner, Kathy Sacco, Michelle Dallafior, Miriam Abaya, Olivia Gomez | October 12, 2020 |
Updated on October 12, 2020 The COVID-19 pandemic is doing more than exposing the racial, ethnic, and economic disparities existing in our society; it …
Congress Must Act Quickly to Pass Additional Relief for Struggling Children and Families
Aubrey Edwards-Luce, Averi Pakulis, Bruce Lesley, Cara Baldari, Carrie Fitzgerald, Christopher Towner, Conor Sasner, Michelle Dallafior, Olivia Gomez | August 10, 2020 |
Given recent spikes in COVID-19 caseloads, an economic crisis that continues to deepen, and an upcoming school year faced with daunting challenges, it is …
Letter: We must ensure that this historic public health pandemic does not threaten our children’s future
Aubrey Edwards-Luce, Averi Pakulis, Bruce Lesley, Cara Baldari, Carrie Fitzgerald, Christopher Towner, Conor Sasner, Michelle Dallafior, Olivia Gomez | August 10, 2020 |
First Focus Campaign for Children sent the following letter to Congressional leaders in both houses with a set of recommendations to address the needs …
How to protect children’s welfare in the wake of COVID-19
Aubrey Edwards-Luce, Bruce Lesley | May 4, 2020 |
Every facet of the lives of children and families are being disrupted during this historic public health and economic crisis. Unfortunately, both their short-term …
Letter: Correct the Inequities in COVID-19 Response
Bruce Lesley | April 20, 2020 |
First Focus Campaign for Children sent the following letter to Congressional leaders in both houses with a set of recommendations to address the needs …
Kids & COVID-19: Resource Hub
First Focus Campaign for Children | April 16, 2020 |
The impact on children from COVID-19 is immense. It is also variable and complicated. Every facet of the lives of children and families are …