History

As a statewide, nonprofit organization devoted to improving the well-being of North Carolina’s children and youth, Action for Children uses highly-credible research, data collection, advocacy and education to influence the knowledge, attitudes and actions of a broad cross-section of people across the state.  Action for Children also partners with community leaders to directly influence—in an independent, nonpartisan manner—the attitudes and actions of all people across the state.  Our work to educate, engage and influence people has the ultimate goal of ensuring cost-effective policy and changes in practice that benefit and protect our state’s children and youth.

Major work focuses on health, safety, early care, education, economic security, child maltreatment and juvenile justice. 

Action for Children is the nationally-recognized state affiliate of Voices for America’s Children and is the state Annie E. Casey Foundation’s KIDS COUNT partner.  As such, Action for Children serves as the major source for research and data, publishing the North Carolina Children’s Index, the profile of leading indicators on the health and well-being of North Carolina’s children.  Action for Children was the first state advocacy group in the nation to develop an annual index identifying “leading indicators” of child well-being.  Many other states followed Action for Children’s lead.

Action for Children was instrumental in the planning and development of Smart Start, the state’s early childhood education initiative. Efforts also resulted in the establishment of childcare resource and referral agencies across the state, including many in underserved rural areas.  Action for Children helped develop the Covenant with North Carolina’s Children, a coalition of 200 social service organizations representing more than one-half million members who collaborate to influence public policies.

Through research, advocacy, partnerships and publications, Action for Children North Carolina is improving the well-being of children and young people everyday.  Join Action for Children as we build on past successes, pioneer new approaches and create opportunities for all of North Carolina’s children. 

For more information, visit 23 Years of Advocacy, Research, Partnerships and Publications, which recounts Action for Children's near 25-year history of ensuring change on behalf of North Carolina's children and families while known as the North Carolina Child Advocacy Institute.