First Focus on Children

Dedicated to making children & families a priority in federal policy & budget decisions. Affiliated w/ @Campaign4Kids. #InvestInKids

[Ted Lieu @tedlieu]

Dear @SecretaryWright: Some deep questions for your deep thoughts:

-Did you know the sun still shines during winter?

-Did you know that solar panels rely on sunlight rather than warmth?

In fact, solar panels can operate even more efficiently during the winter.

[Joan Alker @JoanAlker1]

Georgetown study: 2M children have dropped out of Medicaid, CHIP since January 2025 https://t.co/CJCdJm4yLX

[First Focus on Children @First_Focus]

Runaways, bullying and assault reported inside teen treatment center for adoptees | AP News https://t.co/r2iK3IOmc3

[Headquarters @HQNewsNow]

Sen. @JeffMerkley to Rubio: You have expressed that no one died as a result of the shutdown of USAID. I want to note that it's estimated that over 500,000 children have died from that shutdown. I hope you ponder that as we strive to rebuild programs related to malaria, tuberculosis, AIDS, HIV, nutrition, and Ebola.

[First Focus on Children @First_Focus]

Immigrant moms with American babies anxiously await birthright citizenship ruling - ABC News https://t.co/uE7H1mvGBn

[ProPublica @propublica]

“You starve your public schools to feed your private schools and charter schools,” said one superintendent about the state’s efforts to grow charter schools. “Our foundation was set up for a free and appropriate education for all kids. All kids!”
https://t.co/7Eqz0nxqkn

[First Focus on Children @First_Focus]

High-profile child deaths spark push for welfare agency transparency • Stateline https://t.co/ZGy28aE3eb

[Joan Alker @JoanAlker1]

My latest blog: Two Million Fewer Children are Enrolled in Medicaid Since Trump Took Office https://t.co/q9eWREAeo4 via @GeorgetownCCF

[Kevin Griffith @AssumeNormality]

.@onceuponA sharing new RCT evidence testing effects of work requirements for SNAP

Some enrollees get exemptions, others did not

Work requirements had very small effects on employment, but large effects on enrollment

Preview of what to expect in Medicaid next year #ARM26

[Senator Chris Van Hollen @ChrisVanHollen]

Over 17,000 kids in Maryland have lost SNAP assistance due to cuts in what Trump & Republicans call their "Big, Beautiful Bill."

While it may be beautiful for the billionaires enjoying record tax cuts, kids are going hungry to save those billionaires money. Shameful.

https://t.co/ZNAGP7GjEI

[Dave Doogan MP @DaveDooganSNP]

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Over 321,000 children are now getting vital support from the Scottish Government.

💪 Eradicating child poverty and supporting families with the cost of living is a key focus for @theSNP!

[Juli Briskman @julibriskman]

So glad to see this! I started a childcare fee reduction program in Loudoun w/ ARPA dollars that will ow be a part of the county’s base budget. As a single head of household, childcare was a constant issue for me. I’ve lived it.

[U.S. Rep. Brittany Pettersen @RepPettersen]

More than 70 Minnesota children were detained by ICE between December and March. Some as young as 2 years old. Teachers say students are coming back from these detention centers showing signs of PTSD — triggered by sirens, loud noises, and bright lights. At least 20 of these kids have been deported.

As a mom, I cannot imagine the pain these families are experiencing. This is shameful & will leave a stain on our history. 
https://t.co/8KiCPbWy1h

[Asher Lehrer-Small @small_asher]

After Uvalde, Texas undertook an ambitious effort to station a police officer at every school.

Since then, students have been tackled, pepper sprayed and Tasered. Many episodes began over minor infractions like breaking dress code or vaping.

Our report: https://t.co/kSJ6lFudqo

[National Homelessness Law Center @homeless_law]

BREAKING: The Louisiana Senate passed a disturbing anti-homeless bill that pushes homeless people into jails, forced treatment, and unpaid labor. Hours earlier, the same lawmakers voted to give themselves $1,000 to cover housing expenses, recognizing housing is too expensive.

[Jonas Poggi @JonasPoggi]

This is HUGE.

A new study found that Safe Streets led to a 42% drop in youth homicides in Baltimore.

This comes after the Penn North Safe Streets site marked one year with ZERO homicides! @BaltimoreMONSE @MayorBMScott

[Joan Alker @JoanAlker1]

Our updated @georgetownccf tracker finds that 16 months into President Trump’s 2nd term, Medicaid is covering 2 million fewer children.

This is very bad news b/c the child uninsured rate is likely going up as a result.

And this is before HR 1 Medicaid cuts kick in.

[First Focus on Children @First_Focus]

Rx Kids cash prescription associated with reduced preterm births, low birthweights, NICU admissions https://t.co/cLi1NK4iQA

[First Focus on Children @First_Focus]

Texas’ discipline push sends kids to ‘jail-like’ campuses - The Texas Tribune https://t.co/Q6KHhlO2QI

[Bill Frist, M.D. @bfrist]

This hangs over my desk.

A framed copy of the bill that created PEPFAR. A commemorative pen. A note from President George W. Bush dated May 29, 2003.

I keep it there because it reminds me that democracy is not abstract. It is the hard, imperfect work of turning conviction into law.

I brought the bill to the Senate floor at 2:00 p.m. I did not know whether it would take a day, a week, or months. By 2:00 a.m., after 12 hours of debate, the Senate passed it by voice vote.

PEPFAR was not inevitable.

It required listening, persuasion, moral clarity, bipartisan resolve, presidential leadership, and a belief that American leadership could help save lives far beyond our own borders.

That belief became law. And that law helped save millions of lives. This is what democracy can do.