Immigration Bill Falls Short in the Senate

Washington D.C. – Today, the United States Senate failed to invoke cloture on the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act with a vote of 55-41. The measure required 60 votes for passage thereby thwarting the clear will of a majority in the Senate. If passed, the bipartisan DREAM Act would have provided undocumented students brought to the United States as children with the opportunity to earn permanent legal status upon meeting certain requirements.

Bruce Lesley, President of the First Focus Campaign for Children, issued the following statement:

"Once again, hundreds of thousands of innocent children are left facing an uncertain future due to political gridlock. Despite widespread support from business, education, military, and religious leaders, as well as 70 percent of the American people, a minority of Senators chose to stand in the way of making the DREAM Act a reality this year.

"Until the DREAM Act becomes law, Eric Balderas, a Harvard student majoring in biology who came to the U.S. when he was just 4 years old, will not achieve his dream of helping to find a cure for cancer one day. And until the DREAM Act becomes law, Cesar Vargas, an accomplished law school student who came to the U.S. at the age of 5, will not achieve his dream of serving in the U.S. military. And we as a country will continue to miss out on the much needed talents of these young people who are American in every way except paperwork.

"We are extremely disappointed that a minority of Republicans and moderate Democrats chose to vote against the bill without any attempt to engage on the substance of the bill over the past few weeks. Rather than stand by children, these Senators have instead held the dreams of so many children hostage to partisan rhetoric and political gridlock. Rest assured, this is a vote that will be remembered for years to come, and those who chose to vote against children will be held accountable.

"We applaud the leadership of Senator Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), and Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN) for championing this legislation. We also commend the heroic efforts of so many youth leaders who opened their hearts and shared their stories with the American people over the past year. While today's loss is indeed a tragedy, we look forward to continuing to work with the Administration and our allies in Congress to make the DREAM a reality in the near future."

Immigration Bill Moves to Senate after Victory in the House

Washington D.C. - Late yesterday evening, in a historic bipartisan vote, the United States House of Representatives approved the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act. The First Focus Campaign for Children, a bipartisan children's advocacy organization, praised leaders in the House for passing legislation that will create a brighter future for hundreds of thousands of U.S. raised immigrant children while helping America build an educated workforce capable of competing in a global economy. The Senate is expected to vote on the measure as early as today.

Bruce Lesley, President of the First Focus Campaign for Children, issued the following statement:

"We strongly support this legislation because it addresses the plight of innocent children and youth living in the United States who have found themselves held captive by our country's broken immigration system. The DREAM Act will help ensure that every child has the opportunity to achieve his or her potential and fully contribute to our society. We applaud those legislators in the House who listened to the American public, ignored partisan rhetoric, and passed a bill that will improve the lives of hundreds of thousands of children.

"Every year, approximately 65,000 students graduating from American high schools face an uncertain future due to their legal status. Passing the DREAM Act will not only do right by children, but it will also strengthen our nation's economy. According to the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO), enacting the DREAM Act would help reduce the nation's deficit by $2.2 billion over the next ten years.

"We commend House leadership and Representatives Howard Berman (D-CA), Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R-FL), Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA), and Luis Gutierrez (D-IL) for their commitment to our country's children. We also applaud the courage of the many immigrant youth whose tireless efforts made this first victory possible.

"We urge the Senate to build upon the momentum set forth by the House and ensure swift passage of this legislation. The DREAM Act is supported by leaders in education, the military, business, and religious orders, as well as a clear majority of the American people and members of the United States Senate."

Washington D.C. – Today, in a bipartisan vote, the United States House of Representatives approved the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act (S. 3307), a bill that provides an additional $4.5 billion over 10 years to federal child nutrition programs, including school lunch. The First Focus Campaign for Children, a nonpartisan children’s advocacy organization, praised our nation’s leaders for passing legislation that will ensure that more low-income children receive access to the meals they need.

Bruce Lesley, president of the First Focus Campaign for Children, issued the following statement:
“Now more than ever, providing children access to healthy food is critical. Nearly one in four American children go to bed every night hungry, and given current economic conditions, it is likely that many more families will require assistance to feed their children both now and in the years ahead.

“To grow up healthy and concentrate in school, children need access to nutritious foods. The National School Meals Program and other child nutrition programs offer the healthiest and most nourishing meals that many children receive each day. We commend President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, United States Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), Agriculture Committee Chairman Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-AR), Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN), House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Committee on Education and Labor Chairman George Miller (D-CA), and Representative Todd Platts (R-PA) for their leadership in ensuring that more hungry American children will have access to these valuable programs and the nutrition they provide.

“The legislation will also make great strides in preventing and addressing our nation’s childhood obesity epidemic by reducing junk food in schools and improving the nutritional quality of meals. It is unacceptable that one-third of our children and teens are either obese or overweight. Not only does this statistic reflect a serious health concern for our nation’s future, but a national security issue as well. Recent research shows that today 27 percent of 17-24 year-olds weigh too much to enlist in the military.

“Investing early in children’s nutrition provides a lifetime of benefits to our nation’s future. By preventing disease and obesity in children, kids will be able to lead long and productive lives. This is important for their future, provides a cost benefit to our healthcare system, and lays the health and educational groundwork for our nation’s future workforce and military.

“While the First Focus Campaign for Children, strongly supports the passage of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, we are committed to working with Congress and the Administration to restore the cut to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and fix the current benefits cliff that is now scheduled to take place in November of 2013. We urge Congress and the Administration to work together to restore the SNAP cut as soon as possible.”

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) will introduce the Children’s Act of 2010, a bill to address the challenges facing our nation’s youth by establishing a National Council on Children. The First Focus Campaign for Children, a bipartisan children’s advocacy organization, voiced its strong support for the legislation, which aims to establish the United States as a frontrunner in improving the lives of children.

Specifically, the National Council on Children will annually assess the performance of the United States in ensuring the well-being of children. In addition, the Council will develop a set of national goals to improve the lives of youth, and make recommendations to advance children’s well-being.

“It’s in our nation’s best interest to raise the most healthy, most educated, best-prepared children in the world for the challenges that lie ahead. Yet on virtually every index, America’s children are falling behind. Today in America one in five kids is born into poverty, 30 percent of students fail to graduate from high school, and 8 million children lack health insurance,” said Bruce Lesley, president of the First Focus Campaign for Children. “A coordinated, national action plan to improve child well-being is essential to raise the visibility of children in federal policy, solidify our commitment to the nation’s future, and ensure that we can meet the needs of the next generation. We applaud Senator Dodd and Senator Casey for their leadership in introducing this important piece of legislation which will generate momentum for improving the lives of our nation’s youth.”

Senator Dodd is the Chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Children and Families.

“The subcommittee has provided an important forum for our country's elected leaders and children advocates to focus on the needs of our children. And it has played a vital role, shedding light on the struggles our nation’s children face,” said Senator Dodd. “What we have learned is that our children are in crisis. It is critical that we create a new national council on children to closely examine the needs of children and identify solutions to improve their lives. With Senator Casey’s deep understanding of the challenges children in America face, I am confident he will be able to champion this important effort in the next Senate. It is time to put a specific and targeted focus on our children, the future of our country, and create a national council on children.”

“I am pleased to partner with Senator Dodd on the Children’s Act of 2010 which will provide an opportunity to help a new generation of children and families,” said Senator Casey. “By creating a National Council on Children, we will be able to help our nation and leaders in the public, private and non-profit sectors to develop a road-map to ensure that the current generation of young Americans has as many opportunities to succeed as possible. And we will ensure that even in challenging times, American families have the support they need to raise healthy families. Senator Dodd’s dedication and work on children’s issues during his time in the United States Senate has improved the lives of millions of children.”

In 1991, a former National Commission on Children approved a blueprint for national policy to benefit America’s children and families. In response, Congress and the President expanded the Earned Income Tax Credit, created the Child Tax Credit, and established the Children’s Health Insurance Program. The goal of the new National Council on Children would be to catalyze the next generation of groundbreaking policies for children and families.

# # #

Washington D.C. – Today, the First Focus Campaign for Children, a national, bipartisan child advocacy group, released the names of Members of Congress identified as the most valuable leaders on issues important to children. The announcement today launches the group’s inaugural campaign to recognize the top 100 Members of Congress who make improving the well-being of children a national priority.

Of the 100 Members of Congress recognized by the group today, 50 Members were named “Champions for Children” on account of their extraordinary efforts to protect and improve the future of America’s next generation. An additional 50 Members were awarded the title “Defenders of Children” and are being recognized for their support of policies that advance the well-being of children.

“We applaud our Champions and Defenders of Children for their unflagging commitment to protect our nation’s future,” said Bruce Lesley, president of the Campaign for Children. “Children cannot vote, hold press conferences, or donate to political campaigns to thank the Members of Congress that support them and protect their interests. And because of that, today we are honoring those Members on behalf of children. This award is intended to give recognition to our nation's top public officials who take action to make children a national priority. We look forward to working with our Champions and Defenders to continue protecting America’s next generation of leaders.”

In selecting the Champions and Defenders honored today, the First Focus Campaign for Children took note of leaders who introduced, co-sponsored, and voted for legislation that would best meet the needs of children. In addition, the organization considered Members who demonstrated extraordinary initiative by spearheading activities such as sponsoring hearings or garnering the support of their colleagues to improve the health and well-being of children.

Learn more about our Champions for Children Campaign.

# # #

Senate Continues to Delay a Vote on the DREAM Act

Washington D.C. - Yesterday, the United States Senate failed to invoke cloture on the Defense Authorization Act, which contained the DREAM Act (S. 729) as an amendment. A minority of 42 senators chose to filibuster a procedural motion, blocking the will of a clear majority of the Senate and the American public who support the DREAM Act. This means that the DREAM Act will not be taken up for a vote this week and the future of the bill remains uncertain.

The DREAM Act would provide undocumented students brought to the United States as children with the opportunity to earn permanent legal status upon meeting certain requirements. Despite growing up in the United States and being educated in American schools, these students face barriers in pursuing a college degree and are left unable to join the workforce due to their lack of legal immigration status.

The First Focus Campaign for Children, a bipartisan children's advocacy organization, has been at the forefront of advocacy for passage of the DREAM Act. Campaign for Children President Bruce Lesley released the following statement:

"The Senate denied the DREAM Act a fair vote on its merits despite overwhelming support from business, education, military, and religious leaders, as well as 70 percent of the American people. Once again hundreds of thousands of innocent children are paying the price for our country's broken immigration system.

"Until the DREAM Act becomes law, Walter Lara, an honor student from Miami, Florida who was brought to the U.S when he was only 3 years old will not achieve his dreams of continuing college and his career in computer graphics. And until the DREAM Act becomes law, Laura Lopez, a 22-year old college graduate from California, will not achieve her dream of attending law school. There are countless stories of talented young people like Walter and Laura waiting for the opportunity to contribute to our country.

"We are deeply concerned that more than a dozen so-called supporters of this legislation used a procedural maneuver to avoid a vote on the DREAM Act. It is unacceptable that once again the dreams of so many children remain on hold due to political gridlock.

"We applaud the heroic efforts of so many youth leaders who participated in countless events across the country and flooded Congress with calls and faxes over the past week. The impact they have made will continue to fuel the conversation so that we achieve a victory on this important legislation later this year."

# # #

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, hundreds of youth participated in a mock graduation ceremony in our nation’s capitol to push for passage of the DREAM Act, legislation that would provide undocumented students brought to the United States as children with the opportunity to earn permanent legal status upon meeting certain requirements. For many of these students, high school graduation marks the final “normal” moment in their lives. Despite growing up in the United States and being educated in American schools, they face barriers in pursuing a college degree and are left unable to join the workforce due to their lack of legal immigration status.

The DREAM Act (S.729), introduced in the 111th Congress by Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Richard Lugar (R-IN), would provide certain undocumented students with the ability to obtain permanent legal resident status if they came to the United States as children, have good moral character, finish high school or obtain a G.E.D., and complete two years of college or military service.

Today’s graduation ceremony was organized to send a clear message to Congress that passage of the DREAM Act is vital to the future of hundreds of thousands of young people and to the country as a whole. The youth were joined by immigrant rights leaders, child advocates, and Members of Congress, including Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Representative Raul Grijalva (D-AZ).

Prior to the ceremony, college and university presidents from across the country also called on Congress to immediately take action on the bill by participating on a press teleconference. The higher education community has been unanimous in their support of the DREAM Act, which has the potential to provide approximately 65,000 high school graduates annually with improved access to a higher education and a legal means by which to join the U.S. workforce.

The First Focus Campaign for Children, a bipartisan children’s advocacy organization, has been at the forefront of advocacy for passage of DREAM. The organization recently released a poll that placed bipartisan support for the bill at 70 percent. Campaign for Children President Bruce Lesley released the following statement:

“We applaud the efforts of the hundreds of brave young people who made the journey to Washington today to call on Congress to take a stand and do what is right for children and for the future of our country. Passage of the DREAM Act would provide these youth, who currently face an uncertain future, with the opportunity to contribute to the country they already call home by putting them on a path to citizenship.

“The poll we commissioned last month confirms that there is strong public support across the country and across party lines to move forward with the DREAM Act. The bill is a common-sense solution to address the hundreds of thousands of young people who were brought to the United States as children and are left unable to pursue the American dream.

“The future success of our country lies in our ability to cultivate an educated workforce capable of competing in the global economy. We cannot afford to continue losing the talent of so many students who have already been educated in American schools. It is time for children to stop paying the price for our broken immigration system. We strongly urge Congress to take immediate action to pass the DREAM Act.”

# # #

WASHINGTON, D.C. – A new analysis released today uncovered startling facts about the number of homeless students in our nation’s schools. According to the brief, American schools have experienced drastic increases in the number of homeless students entering their classrooms since the beginning of the recession. The brief finds that 26 states collectively report a 50 percent increase in the number of homeless children attending school since the 2006-07 school year.

In addition, the report finds that, during the 2007-2008 school year, school districts reported a 17 percent increase over the prior year in homeless students (679,724 homeless students enrolled during 2006-2007; 794,617 homeless students enrolled during 2007-2008, an increase of 114,893 students, or 17 percent). When students become homeless they not only suffer academically, but their mental and physical health are put at risk as well.

The brief entitled, Creating Jobs and Supporting Homeless Students, urges our nation’s leaders to take swift action by assisting school districts in helping students stay in school, even though they have lost their homes. It was written by First Focus, a children’s advocacy organization, and the National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth, a membership organization of educators and others serving homeless children and youth.

“Our findings confirm what we already know about the number of homeless students – it has grown exponentially. When families lose their homes, children often lose their schools and access to services. Such changes not only impact their education but their physical and mental health as well.” said Bruce Lesley, President of the First Focus Campaign for Children. “When we help children grow and succeed, we are paving the way for our country’s next generation of workers and leaders. As Congress considers the Jobs Bill, we urge investments in jobs that support and assist the most innocent victims of the economic downturn – our nation’s children. By saving and creating jobs like homeless support staff, school social workers, psychologists, and community outreach staff, we will strengthen the economy while helping thousands of children continue their education and realize the American Dream.”

Although data on homeless students is not yet available for every state, other research has confirmed the recession has taken its toll on children. A recent report released by First Focus and the Brookings Institution found that the number of children across the nation receiving food stamps increased by 3.4 million in just one year. Further, new research has shown that 10.5 million children have an unemployed parent.

# # #

WHAT: Capitol Hill briefing on “Children in the Fields: The Hidden Problem of Child Labor in America”

WHEN: Monday, February 22 at 11:00am

WHERE: 2103 Rayburn House Office Building

WHO: Panelists will include:
Norma Flores, project director for the Association of Farmworker Opportunity
Programs.

• Maria Mandujano, former child farmworker, college student, and activist with
  Student Action for Farmworkers.
• U Roberto (Robin) Romano, award winning photographer, filmmaker and human
  rights educator, currently filming farmworker children and their families for the
  upcoming documentary, The Harvest/La Cosecha.
• Zama Coursen-Neff, deputy director of Human Rights Watch’s Children’s Rights
  Division.

On February 22 at 11:00am, the Congressional Labor and Working Families Caucus and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus will host a briefing on the hidden problem of child labor in America.

The briefing will focus on child labor in the U.S. agricultural industry and feature footage from the upcoming documentary “The Harvest.” In addition, the panel will include stories of former child farmworkers and findings from a new multi-state Human Rights Watch investigation on their working conditions. Further, the Children’s Act for Responsible Employment (CARE Act, HR 3564) will be highlighted, which addresses double-standards in US labor law that allow child farmworkers to work at younger ages, for longer hours, and under more dangerous conditions than other working youth.

This briefing is supported by the First Focus Campaign for Children, the American Federation of Teachers, Association of Farmworker Opportunity Programs, Child Labor Coalition, and Human Rights Watch.

# # #

WASHINGTON D.C. – Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) has introduced legislation that would provide an annual accounting of all federal money spent on children.

The Children's Budget Act aims to make children a priority in the federal budget by requiring that the President's annual budget request includes a separate analysis of all spending on children's programs. This accounting would collect the diverse sources of funding for children's programs, in a unified place, communicating a clear picture of the federal funding benefiting America's young people.

"Once again, Senator Menendez has taken a leading role in ensuring our children are a national priority. His ‘Children's Budget Act’ is a simple, inexpensive action that will bring awareness to the federal investment in children," said Bruce Lesley, President of the First Focus Campaign for Children, a national, bipartisan children’s advocacy organization. "Meeting children’s needs requires that we take stock in our efforts. It is critical that Members of Congress and the public are given a clear picture, because doing better for our children tomorrow starts with knowing how they are faring today."

“Our federal budget reflects our priorities as a nation and this bill ensures that we have a clear understanding of how we invest in our children,” said Senator Menendez. “We need to prioritize our children. If we get a complete picture of how we spend on our children’s programs today, then we can work to ensure we are not shortchanging the vulnerable members of our society tomorrow.”

Currently, the law that governs the requirements for the President's annual budget request includes dozens of specific instructions, such as a mandate requiring an analysis of all spending on homeland security. Directing that an analysis of spending on children be submitted as part of the President's larger budget request would be a simple addition to the law. In 2009, Congressman Danny Davis (D-IL) introduced the identical measure in the House of Representatives.

Several states and local governments already produce annual Children's Budgets. These budgets, in cities such as Philadelphia and states such as Louisiana, make it clear how their governments are responding to the needs of children. Children's Budgets have proven to be an invaluable source of information, as well as an inexpensive and efficient way to improve the lives of children.

This Act is cosponsored by Senators Lautenberg, Johnson, Feingold, Bingaman, Casey and Sherrod Brown.

Earlier this year, First Focus released Children’s Budget 2009, a comprehensive analysis of federal spending on children over the past five years, and a publication with intentions similar to that of the Children's Budget Act. After accounting for federal spending on kids, the report found that less than ten percent of all federal spending is devoted to children’s programs.

In the 110th Congress, 120 state and national organizations supported the Children’s Budget Act. They included the following:

• First Focus Campaign for Children, Washington DCM

Action for Children North Carolina, Raleigh NC
Alliance for Excellent Education, Washington DC
America Forward, Cambridge MA
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychology, Washington DC
American Academy of Pediatrics, Washington DC
American Association of School Administrators, Arlington VA
American Dental Hygienists Association, Chicago IL
American Humane Association, Alexandria VA
American Pediatric Society, Woodlands TX
American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children, Elmhurst IL
American School Counselor Association, Alexandria VA
America's Promise Alliance, Washington DC
Anchorage's Promise, Anchorage AK
Association for Children of New Jersey, Newark NJ
Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs, Washington DC
Association of Medical School Pediatric Department Chairs, Chapel Hill NC
Baltimore City Health Department, Baltimore MD
Camp Fire USA, Washington DC
Campaign for Youth Justice, Washington DC
Child and Family Policy Center, Des Moines IA
Children First for Oregon, Portland OR
Children Now, Oakland CA
Children's Aid Society, New York NY
Children's Alliance, Seattle WA
Children's Defense Fund, Washington DC
Children's Healthcare is a Legal Duty, Sioux City IA
Children's Memorial Hospital, Chicago IL
Children's Partnership, Santa Monica CA
Childworks, PLLC, Washington DC
Citizen Schools, Boston MA
Coalition for Juvenile Justice, Washington DC
Colorado Children's Campaign, Denver CO
Community Action Agency of Southern New Mexico, Las Cruces NM
Community Action New Mexico, Albuquerque NM
Council for Opportunity in Education, Washington DC
Council of Administrators of Special Education, Inc., Fort Valley GA
DC Action for Children, Washington DC
DC Assembly On School Health Care, Washington DC
Docs for Tots, Washington DC
Economic Council Helping Others, Inc., Farmington NM
Family Voices, Albuquerque NM
Family Voices of District of Columbia, Inc., Washington DC
Family Voices of New Jersey, Newark NJ
Family Voices of North Dakota, Edgeley ND
First Five Years Fund, Washington DC
First Star, Washington DC
Foster Care Alumni of America, Alexandria VA
GLSEN - Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, Washington DC
Illinois Maternal and Child Health Coalition, Chicago IL
Jobs for the Future, Washington DC
KaBOOM!, Washington DC
Kansas Action For Children, Topeka KS
Kentucky Child Now, Frankfort KY
Kentucky Youth Advocates, Jeffersontown KY
LEAnet, Los Angeles CA
Learning Disabilities Association of America, Pittsburgh PA
Maine Children's Alliance ,Augusta ME
Maine Governor's Children's Cabinet, Augusta ME
Mentor/National Mentoring Partnership, Alexandria VA
Michigan's Children, Lansing MI
Mississippi Center for Justice, Jackson MS
National Alliance for Medicaid, Education, Inc.
National Association for Children's Behavioral Health, Washington DC
National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth, Washington DC
National Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies, Arlington VA
National Association of Children's Hospitals, Alexandria VA
National Association of Elementary School Principals, Alexandria VA
National Association of School Psychologists, Bethesda MD
National Association of Secondary School Principals, Reston VA
National Association of State Directors of Special Education ,Alexandria VA
National Child Abuse Coalition, Washington DC
National Collaboration for Youth, Washington DC
National Community Action Foundation, Washington DC
National Council of La Raza, Washington DC
National Education Association, Washington DC
National Foster Care Coalition, Washington DC
National Foster Parent Association, Gig Harbor WA
National Head Start Association, Alexandria VA
National Healthy Start Association, Washington DC
National Hispanic Medical Association, Washington DC
National Indian Child Welfare Association, Portland OR
National Parent Teach Association, Chicago IL
New England Alliance for Children's Health, Boston MA
New Jersey Commission on Higher Education, Trenton NJ
New Mexico Alliance for School Based Health Care, Santa Fe NM
New Mexico Voices for Children, Albuquerque NM
Nurse Family Partnership, Denver CO
Parents Reaching Out, Albuquerque NM
Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children, Harrisburg PA
Pew Charitable Trusts, Washington DC
Pre-K Now, Washington DC
Public Citizens for Children and Youth, Philadelphia PA
Public Education Network, Washington DC
Reading Is Fundamental, Washington DC
Rhode Island KIDS COUNT, Providence RI
Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law, Chicago IL
Save the Children, Washington DC
School Social Work Association of America, Indianapolis IN
SingleStop USA, New York NY
Society for Adolescent Medicine, Blue Springs MO
Society For Pediatric Research, Woodlands TX
Society for Research in Child Development, Washington DC
South Carolina Appleseed Legal Justice Center, Columbia SC
Statewide Parent Advocacy Network of New Jersey, Newark NJ
Tennessee Health Care Campaign, Nashville TN
Tennessee Primary Care Association, Nashville TN
Texans Care for Children, Austin TX
The Forum for Youth Investment, Washington DC
Upstate Parents Network, Greenville SC
Virginia Poverty Law Center, Richmond VA
Voices for Alabama's Children, Montgomery AL
Voices for America's Children, Washington DC
Voices for Georgia's Children, Atlanta GA
Voices for Ohio's Children, Cleveland OH
Voices for Utah Children, Salt Lake City UT
Voices for Virginia's Children, Richmond VA
Wisconsin Council on Children and Families, Madison WI
YMCA of the USA, Washington DC
YouthBuild USA, Somerville MA

# # #