2023
Summit Surfaces New Issues
Children First convened over 300 parents, youth, and child-serving leaders at our Summit to Change Young Lives. Through guided discussions and collective input, two key issues arose:
- The desperate need for a robust youth mental health system and
- The demand for a high-quality career and technical education, apprenticeships, and opportunities to take college courses in high school.
Reducing Lead Paint Hazards in PA Homes
In addition to advocating for ways to prevent childhood lead poisoning, the PA Lead-Free Promise Project secured $2 million – the state’s first appropriation of its kind – to remediate the presence of lead in homes. Children First leads this coalition of 60+ organizations.
More City Kids Receive Quality Early Education
Philadelphia’s pre-k programs expanded to give 5,500 kids the smart start in life we know they need and Children First’s effective advocacy was a big reason why.
Making Kids Issues Top of Mind for the Next Mayor
Philadelphia elected its 100th mayor and Children First made sure that kids’ issues could not be ignored throughout the mayoral campaign season. Hundreds of parents and child-serving organizations took part in the “Kids’ Campaign” to get candidates on the record regarding children’s issues.
Reports
- Paid Family & Medical Leave: An Essential Investment in Pennsylvania Business and Their Employers
- The Unfulfilled Charter School Promise
- Meeting the Demand for New Workers – Investing in Career Related Learning for High School Students (with Keystone Research Center, PA Budget Policy Center, and PA Schools Work)
- The High Cost of Working in Early Childhood Education
