Letters and Correspondence

First Focus Campaign for Children sent this letter on July 16, 2015, urging passage of the Every Child Achieves Act (ECAA). The letter acknowledges that the bill is not perfect and should be improved through the conference committee process, but also outlines how the ECAA improves current law and can improve educational outcomes for children.

This letter was sent to all Senate offices regarding the Every Child Achieves Act (ECAA). First Focus Campaign for Children is encouraged at the bipartisan work to reauthorize No Child Left Behind because reauthorization is long overdue and these efforts reflect a desire from both Democrats and Republicans to improve educational opportunities for children. While the ECAA includes a number of provisions that contribute to positive educational outcomes, such as integrating early childhood initiatives with K-12 education, collecting data on school climate issues, and allowing states to create a continuum of...

The First Focus Campaign for Children submitted this statement for the record to the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee for a hearing on July 7, 2015 entitled “The 2014 Humanitarian Crisis at Our Border: A Review of the Government’s Response to Unaccompanied Minors One Year Later.” The statement outlines the concerns regarding the U.S. government’s enforcement-heavy approach to stem the flow of migration from Central America which has continued to put children in harm’s way and urges policymakers...

On July 2nd, 2015, First Focus Campaign for Children sent this letter in support of The Alyce Spotted Bear and Walter Soboleff Commission on Native Children Act (H.R. 2751). The act would establish an 11-person committee to reexamine the federal government's commitment to Native children, and propose policy solutions to better serve them. If adopted, this bill could dramatically improve the lives of Native kids nationwide.

On June 17, 2015 the First Focus Campaign for Children sent this letter in support of the Foster Youth Independence Act of 2015. This bill extends federal funding for services for youth up to age 23 who age out of foster care. These services can include: assistance with enrolling in college, finding employment, obtaining health coverage, securing housing, and managing money.

On June 16, 2015 First Focus Campaign for Children sent letters in support of the Every Child Deserves a Family Act introduced by Senator Gillibrand in the Senate and Congressman Lewis in the House of Representatives. This bill would prevent entities receiving federal funds from discriminating against prospective foster and adoptive parents based on their sexual orientation, gender identity or marital status. This bill has the potential to help thousands of children in the child welfare system find loving and permanent homes. 

This letter signed by 160 leading children’s advocacy organizations urges Congress to support President Obama’s fiscal year 2016 proposed investments in child welfare. The letter was coordinated by First Focus Campaign for Children, Children’s Defense Fund, Child Welfare League of America, Foster Family-based Treatment Association, Generations United, National Foster Care Coalition, and Voice for Adoption.

According to the Department of Education, there were over 1.2 million homeless children and youth enrolled in public school last year. Currently, homeless youth, or those who have experienced homelessness in the past, who attend a four-year college or university full-time cannot take advantage of housing built with funds from the Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) Program due to the “student rule.” The Housing for Homeless Students Act of 2015 (S. 1412) to amend the Internal Revenue Code to qualify homeless or previously homeless youth and veterans...

One in five children in the United States are living in poverty, and children continue to experience higher rates of poverty than any other age group in the country. The Child Poverty Reduction Act would establish a national child poverty target with the goal of cutting child poverty in ten years and eliminating it within 20 years.A national child poverty target will serve as a rallying cry for the government and other stakeholders to take concrete steps to meet this target. It institutionalizes the goal of reducing child poverty,...

As e-cigarettes have become more popular, poison control centers reported last year a 200 percent jump in calls related to liquid nicotine poisoning, more than half in children under age 5. Just one teaspoon of liquid nicotine – often sold in flavors attractive to kids like bubblegum and cotton candy – can be a deadly dose for children. Accidental ingestion and skin exposure more commonly mean symptoms like vomiting and seizures, and a trip to the emergency room.The Child Nicotine Poisoning Prevention Act of...