Federal Policy

 
In addition to state-level policy work, Action for Children advocates on the federal level as well.  Many state programs for children are dependent on federal legislation and resources.  

Main Areas of Federal Work

• Children's Health Insurance: Reauthorization of the federal SCHIP program with increased funding, and the elimination of restrictive federal regulations would allow North Carolina to implement a state law (passed in 2007) to expand children's health insurance coverage to more children in the state.
  
  
• Juvenile Justice: Reauthorization of the Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention Act with adequate funding is essential for the continued improvement of North Carolina's juvenile justice system.

• Child Tax Credit: Making permanent the recent expansion of the federal Child Tax Credit to more low-income families would help hundreds of thousands of children in North Carolina and bring at least $100 million more in federal support to the state.

• Asset Building: Federal legislation like the ASPIRE and Savings for Working Families acts would offer more low-income North Carolinians the opportunity to purchase and grow assets.
  
  
• Hunger: The federal food stamp program and other food assistance programs help feed North Carolina's families. 

THANK YOU

to everyone who attended and helped with the Step Up and Act for Children press event.  It was a great success!

Legislative Updates on Federal Issues

NC Child Advocate: September 23, 2008 

NC Child Advocate: September 5, 2008 

NC Child Advocate: August 22, 2008 

NC Child Advocate: August 4, 2008 

NC Child Advocate: July 21, 2008

NC Child Advocate: July 14, 2008

NC Child Advocate: July 7, 2008 

NC Child Advocate: June 20, 2008 

NC Child Advocate: June 9, 2008

Action Alerts on Federal Issues 

Action Alert: September 15, 2008 - Step Up and Act for Children TOMORROW! 

Action Alert: August 28, 2008 - Sign on for Children! 

Action Alert: August 19, 2008 - Sign on Letter for More Federal Investment in Children! 

Action Alert: August 13, 2008 - Ask the Candidates a Question! 

Action Alert: August 11, 2008 - Ask Senate to Support Paid Family Leave! 

Action Alert: July 29. 2008 - Call Senators on Child Tax Credit! 

Action Alert: March 4, 2008 - It's Time to March Forth!

Federal Policy Resources

These are organizations that work at the federal level on policies affecting children and families.

Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP)
CLASP’s mission is to improve the economic security, educational and workforce prospects, and family stability of low-income parents, children, and youth and to secure equal justice for all.

Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities conducts research and analysis to inform public debates on fiscal policy and public programs that affect low- and moderate-income families and individuals.

Child Welfare League of America
The Child Welfare League’s mission is to ensure the safety and well-being of children and families.

Children’s Defense Fund 
The Children's Defense Fund’s Leave No Child Behind® mission is to ensure every child a Healthy Start, a Head Start, a Fair Start, a Safe Start, and a Moral Start in life and successful passage to adulthood with the help of caring families and communities.

Economic Policy Institute 
EPI conducts original research on economic issues (living standards/labor markets, government and the economy, globalization and trade, education), makes policy recommendations based on its findings, and disseminates its work to the appropriate audiences.

First Focus  
First Focus is a bipartisan advocacy organization that is committed to making children and their families a priority in federal policy and budget decisions.

Forum for Youth Investment 
The Forum for Youth Investment (the Forum) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to helping communities and the nation make sure all young people are Ready by 21™ — ready for college, work and life.

Georgetown Health Policy Institute’s Center for Children and Families 
The Center for Children and Families (CCF) is an independent, nonpartisan policy center based at Georgetown University's Health Policy Institute whose mission is to expand and improve health coverage for America's children and families.

National Juvenile Justice Network
The Network enhances the ability of statewide juvenile justice coalitions to advocate for fair, equitable and developmentally appropriate adjudication and treatment for all youth and families involved in the juvenile justice system. 

Voices for America’s Children 
The mission of Voices for America's Children is to improve the lives of children in the  United States by advocating for effective public policies.