Gearing up for CDF Freedom Schools
t’s that time again. Children’s Defense Fund Freedom Schools® sites in California will begin enrolling this month.
Read MorePress Release Search
Statement from Children’s Defense Fund–California on the American Health Care Act Vote
In response to the passage of the American Health Care Act, Alison Buist, National Child Health Director for Children's Defense Fund–California, issued this statement: "Today, House Republican leaders bullied their way to a vote on a bill that will reverse half a century of progress in covering children and families while giving a massive tax cut to America's wealthiest individuals and corporations. By passing the American Health Care Act that destroys Medicaid's guarantee of health coverage for poor and disabled children, including more than half of all children in California, we will turn the clock back to the bad old days of insurance discrimination, debt, and even death. The American Health Care Act is a bad deal for kids and a bad deal for California." Media Contact Cadonna Dory cdory@childrensdefense.org o: (213) 355-8790 // c: (323) 385-6342 [...]
Read MoreAlleviating the Burden
Laura Greenwald and Claudia Alvarado both have the same fear: a new and even worse health care repeal proposal by Republican leaders will destroy the safety net that helped their children get the medical equipment and care they need to thrive.
Read MoreParents and Stakeholders Claim LBUSD Violates State Law, Depriving High Needs Students Some $40 Million in Services for the 2016-17 School Year
Long Beach, CA – The Long Beach Unified School District (LBUSD) is violating state law by misallocating more than $40 million of state education funding that is specifically designed to increase or improve services for low-income students, English language learners and foster youth, according to an administrative complaint filed today by Public Advocates, Inc. on behalf of Children's Defense Fund-California (CDF-CA), Latinos in Action and parents of low-income and English learner students. The complaint asserts that LBUSD is not meeting the promise of equity in the new school funding law known as Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) by failing to increase and improve services for the high-need students who generate additional funds for the district called "supplemental and concentration" grants. Instead, the district has approved allocations for everyday basic instructional services that do not specially address the neediest populations, including [...]
Read MoreStatement from Children’s Defense Fund–California on the American Health Care Act Vote
In response to the health care bill being pulled from the House floor today, Alison Buist, National Child Health Director for Children's Defense Fund–California, issued this statement: "We are relieved that the truly terrible Republican health repeal bill was pulled from the House floor today, preserving health coverage for 37 million children in America, including more than 5 million in California alone. We celebrate this victory today but we will remain vigilant and continue to fight against any proposed changes that would jeopardize the health of America's children. Today, 97 percent of children in California have health coverage; we have come too far to turn back." Media Contact Cadonna Dory cdory@childrensdefense.org o: (213) 355-8790 // c: (323) 385-6342 ### Children's Defense Fund-California (CDF-CA) is a state office of the Children's Defense Fund, a [...]
Read MoreIn The Spotlight: Luz Sanchez
Medi-Cal – California’s Medicaid program serving half of the state’s children – is a lifeline for millions of people across the state.
Read MoreReport Highlights New Approach for Treating Incarcerated Youth
Children's Defense Fund – California is excited to announce the release of A Culture of Care for All: Envisioning the LA Model, a new approach for treating youth who are incarcerated, published in partnership with The California Wellness Foundation. This report, written by Hailly T.N. Korman (Bellwether Education Partners) and Carly B. Dierkhising (California State University – Los Angeles) captures nearly two years of thought, and collaboration by more than 100 stakeholders to articulate a shared vision of a new model of juvenile justice in Los Angeles, known as the LA Model. "This report records a collective effort to imagine therapeutic, holistic treatment of youth during incarceration, recognizing that ultimately incarceration must be a last resort and for the short time possible," said Patricia Soung, interim executive director of Children's Defense Fund – California. The LA Model has ten essential [...]
Read MoreA New Model of Juvenile Justice
This report articulates a shared vision of a new model of juvenile justice in Los Angeles, known as the LA Model.<
Read MoreA Repeal of ACA Will Harm Children and Families in Unprecedented Ways
Urban Institute report shows ACA repeal would increase ranks of California uninsured by nearly 5 millionLOS ANGELES, CA – The Urban Institute released a new report that looks at the implications of a partial repeal of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and makes clear what is at stake for California children and families. If Congress moves forward with its intent to repeal the ACA without an immediate, responsible, and sustainable replacement, the number of uninsured children would more than double, from 4% to 9% nationwide, and the health of millions of Americans would be in jeopardy.Congressional leaders have announced that their first order of business in the new Congress is to pass a reconciliation bill modeled after the 2015 reconciliation bill that repeals the ACA without a replacement plan. In California, Congress' inability to negotiate an agreement on a replacement of [...]
Read MoreChildren’s Defense Fund – California and Public Counsel Release Report on Racial Justice and Educational Equity in Long Beach Schools
Long Beach, CA – Children's Defense Fund-California (CDF-CA) and Public Counsel released a report Tuesday about educational equity and racial justice in Long Beach schools. The report, [Untold Stories Behind One of America's Best Urban School Districts][4], is a bold vision for Long Beach Unified School District (LBUSD) to build and foster positive learning environments for all students. "The report combines a deep analysis of data and policies with the lived experiences of LBUSD students and community stakeholders who have long been advocating for higher commitment and investment in social emotional supports," said Angelica Salazar, senior policy associate for CDF-CA and coauthor of the report. "A deep look at the district's data found the racial disparity of suspensions issued to White and Black students continues to increase, while the written policies are primarily punitive, and community keeps asking for more [...]
Read More