Connect for Kids / Child Advocacy 360 / Youth Policy Action Center - CFK Articles, Kids & Politics

For U.S. Children, Mixed End to 110th Congress

Tue, 21 Oct 2008 14:35:31 -0500

At the end of 2008, child advocates across the country quietly cheered some successes in Congress—including significant reform to the child welfare system—while raising concerns about a setback that may leave many homeless children without services they need.

CFK PolicyWatch: What Adults Who Care About Kids are Cheering—and Watching—in 2008 and 2009

Thu, 25 Sep 2008 12:15:05 -0500

To borrow a tagline and flip it: what happens in Washington, doesn’t stay in Washington—far from it. Budget and policy decisions on Capitol Hill (and in state capitals across the country) have a big impact on even the smallest neighborhoods.

Toward a Brighter Future: NCY Announces National Children and Youth Policy Agenda

Mon, 15 Sep 2008 13:01:39 -0500

September 15— The National Collaboration for Youth (NCY), a 40 year old coalition of youth-serving nonprofits, has proposed a national policy agenda, “Toward a Brighter Future: An Essential Agenda for America’s Young People.”

Step Up for Kids Day 2008

Tue, 09 Sep 2008 16:29:12 -0500

The Every Child Matters Education Fund and its local, state and national partners are hosting a nonpartisan event on the capitol steps in Washington, DC, and all 50 states to draw public attention to issues affecting America's children—poverty, health care, juvenile incarceration, early care and education, child abuse, and after-school programs.

How Kids Fare in the Federal Budget: the Lowlights

Wed, 20 Feb 2008 13:15:00 -0600

President Bush's fiscal year 2009 budget proposal includes $2.8 billion in cuts to programs that impact children—a 3 percent drop from last year's federal budget. First Focus, a bipartisan children's advocacy organization, takes a reader-friendly look at the numbers and what they say about our nation's priorities.

The Buzz on the Budget

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 09:36:04 -0500

The president's annual federal budget submission is as much about sending messages as setting spending goals. So what's the buzz this year—and where in the nation's priorities are kids, families, and communities? Jan Richter takes a look at the 2008 budget proposal.

Young Writers Finding a Powerful Voice

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 09:34:45 -0500

Youth Communication, the non-profit founded by Keith Hefner in New York City to give young people a voice on the things that matter to them, is now 25 years old—a notable milestone in the notoriously under-funded world of youth media. Lisa R. Rhodes, a former Youth Communication writer herself, looks at how Hefner's organization has grown and thrived, transforming young lives along the way.

An Expert Prediction: Parents Face Long Odds in Supreme Court Case on Special Education

Wed, 30 Jul 2008 15:52:06 -0500

Pete Wright, an attorney with decades of experience in special education law—and his own memories of standing up before the U.S. Supreme Court to argue a case—attended oral arguments last week in the most recent special education case to reach the highest court. Wright shared his impressions with Connect for Kids Editor Susan Phillips.

A Younger Take on the State of the Union

Mon, 13 Feb 2006 09:04:27 -0600

We've all heard the pundits and politicians give their reviews of President Bush's State of the Union Speech delivered on January 31. Children's Press Line editor Emily Olfson, 17, offers a different take. She watched the speech and then talked about it with students from the United Nations International School in New York City.

Economic Recovery Hard for Some to See

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 15:50:39 -0500

As he prepares to deliver his State of the Union address on January 31, President Bush is talking about recent good news on job creation and economic growth. Meanwhile, Congress is preparing to vote on a new budget and new tax cuts. But in this column, Connect for Kids Advocacy Director Jan Richter says many ordinary families aren't benefiting from this recovery.

2005 Still Lingers on Hill

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 15:50:04 -0500

The ball dropped. The champagne flowed. But at least on Capitol Hill, 2005 is stubbornly hanging around. Republican leaders were unable to get the House and Senate to pass identical versions of the 2005 budget reconciliation bill, so the legislation faces a final vote. Meanwhile, Congress is contemplating more tax changes. Jan Richter assesses the situation and what it means for children and families.

President Bush on Education: Assessing the Record

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 15:49:22 -0500

Back when President George W. Bush was running for re-election in 2004, we asked the president to outline his stand on key issues, including education. At the start of year two of President Bush's second term, Connect for Kids' Sunny Xiang and Jan Richter took a look back at what candidate Bush had to say, and at where things stand today.

Youth Media's Eye on Iraq

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 15:48:40 -0500

Are military recruiters really telling it like it is? What are the economic and social forces that might drive a not-very-patriotic teen to sign up for military sources? Kendra Hurley of the Open Society Institute's Youth Media Reporter looks at how young people are trying to make sense of the war through reporting and other media projects.

President Bush on Children's Health Care: Reporting Back

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 15:47:57 -0500

In 2004, Connect for Kids asked President Bush and candidate John Kerry a series of questions about their stands on critical children's issues. Now, one year into Bush's second term, we're taking a look back at his answers, and how they measure up against administration actions to date. Our first report is on health care.

A Closer Look

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 15:44:15 -0500

"When you look at my generation, what do you see? Rude teenagers, druggies, teen pregnancy, shootings, death? Look closer." Chastity Larimore, 17.

Throughout the month of August, Connect for Kids posted the four winning essays from our "Speak Out! Let Your Voice be Heard" contest. But each of the 71 entries carried a message worth hearing. Here's a summary of the themes and concerns that emerged.