Children Losing a National Voice

Voices for America’s Children, the nation’s largest nonprofit network of multi-issue child advocacy organizations, will be shutting down this week.  This organization has lead advocacy efforts to improve the lives of all children for over 25 years. There focus has been 6-fold:  Equity & Diversity, Health, School Readiness, School Success, Safety and Economic Stability for children.

Over the years they have been influential in reforming the Child HealthInsurance Program, Head Start, and the Fostering Connections Act.  It is unfortunate that due to the economical crisis our nation is racing that this nonprofit organization will not be able to sustain its operations. 

Who will represent the voice of our children now?  Where will the philanthropic groups that want to support children’s issues on a national level redirect their funds?  How will this affect our youth in the long run?

Many of the youth policies are implemented at the state and local level.  Sixty or 65 percent of state funds go K-12 education as compared to only 8 percent of the federal budget which is designated to kids.   

Parents and youth advocates must pay attention to the local laws affecting our children and stay involved. Without the Voices for America’s Children being heard on a national level there is the potential for a large group of children needs being overlooked.

Dr. Dee Carter