Public Citizens for Children and Youth

“Organization's process to review form 990 the 990 is reviewed in draft form by the board of directors meetings.”

“Enforcement of conflicts policy is reviewed at the board of directors meetings.”

“The board reviewed salaries of similar organizations in the area when determining compensation of upper management and key employees”

“The board reviewed salaries of similar organizations in the area when determining compensation of upper management and key employees.”

“The 990 is reviewed in draft form by the board of directors before the 990 is filed.”

“CHILDREN FIRST IS THE GREATER PHILADELPHIA REGION'S LEADING CHILD ADVOCACY ORGANIZATION. ITS MISSION IS TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF LOW-INCOME CHILDREN AND CHILDREN OF COLOR BY ANALYZING THE OBSTACLES TO OPPORTUNITY, PROPOSING SOUND SOLUTIONS THAT IMPROVE LIFE OUTCOMES, AND WORKING WITH PUBLIC OFFICIALS TO PUT SOLUTIONS IN PLACE. CHILDREN FIRST FOCUSES ON THE NEEDS OF THE WHOLE CHILD BY DOCUMENTING THE UNMET NEEDS OF CHILDREN OF COLOR AND LOW-INCOME CHILDREN, PROFFERING SOUND SOLUTIONS THAT ADDRESS RACIAL INEQUITIES AND PRODUCE OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL CHILDREN AND BUILDING PUBLIC SUPPORT TO ENACT THESE SOLUTIONS. OUR WORK AFECTS A CHILD'S DEVELOPMENT, HEALTH AND WELL-BEING FROM THE MOMENT THEY ARE BORN TO ADULTHOOD. THE FOLLOWING ARE KEY AREAS WHERE CHILDREN FIRST IS MAKING A DIFFERENCE FOR CHILDREN. FOLLOWING A COURT RULING DECLARING PENNSYLVANIA'S SCHOOL FUNDING SYSTEM UNCONSTITUTIONAL, CHILDREN FIRST STRATEGICALLY EXERTED THE NECESSARY PRESSURE TO PRODUCE BIPARTISAN CONSENSUS FOR A $1.7 BILLION INCREASE IN STATE FUNDING FOR LOW-WEALTH SCHOOLS ACROSS TWO BUDGET YEARS - THE LARGEST INVESTMENT IN STATE HISTORY. THERE'S NO DISPUTING THAT THE EARLIEST YEARS OF LIFE PRESENT THE MOST PROMISE FOR NURTURING HEALTHY, VIBRANT MINDS. THAT'S WHY THE STATE DOLLARS FOR GREAT PRE-K PROGRAMS THAT HELP 67,000 CHILDREN THRIVE ARE SO IMPORTANT. CHILDREN FIRST MOBILIZED COALITIONS AND LED RESEARCH-BASED ADVOCACY TO SECURE $9.5 MILLION IN STATE FUNDS FOR PRE-K PROGRAMS, AND $25 MILLION IN BONUS PAYMENTS FOR CHILD CARE STAFF. TO RESPOND TO DRAMATICALLY RISING RATES OF MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS AMONG YOUTH, CHILDREN FIRST FORMED STRONG MINDS, BRIGHT FUTURES, A STATEWIDE COALITION OF 110+ ORGANIZATIONS IN 60+ COUNTIES, IMPROVING ACCESS TO CARE, REMOVING BARRIERS, AND STRENGTHENING SYSTEMS THAT SUPPORT CHILDREN'S WELL-BEING. TO THRIVE IN THE 21st CENTURY ECONOMY, CHILDREN FIRST ADVOCATED FOR INCREASED STATE FUNDING FOR CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCAQTION, RESULTING IN A $30 MILLION BOOST, THE LARGEST IN 25 YEARS, EXPANDING REAL-WORLD LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS. TO ENSURE PARENTS CAN CARE FOR NEWBORNS WITHOUT LOSING INCOME OR EMPLOYMENT CHILDREN FIRST LEADS ADVOCACY TO CREATE A PAID FAMILY LEAVE PROGRAM IN PENNSYLVANIA. THROUGH PARENT ORGANIZING, COMMUNICATIONS, COALITION BUILDING AND LEGISLATIVE ENGAGEMENT, CHILDREN FIRST ELEVATES FAMILY EXPERIENCES AND IS BUILDING PUBLIC WILL TO PASS PAID FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE IN PENNSYLVANIA. VULNERABLE YOUTH AND JUVENILE JUSTICE: CHILDREN FIRST ADVOCATES TO TRANSFORM YOUTH-SERVING SYSTEMS TO SUPPORT CHILDREN RATHER THAN HARM THEM. OUR GOALS INCLUDE EXPANDING DIVERSION, REDUCING DETENTION, ELIMINATING DIRECT FILE, ENDING JUVENILE FINES AND FEES, AND IMPROVING RESIDENTIAL OVERSIGHT. THROUGH COALITION LEADERSHIP AND TARGETED ADVOCACY, CHILDREN FIRST DRIVES SYSTEMIC CHANGE TO PROTECT VULNERABLE YOUTH. THESE POLICY GAINS HAVE DIRECT, MEASURABLE IMPACT ON CHILDREN'S DEVELOPMENT, HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES. OVERALL, CHILDREN FIRST'S ADVOCACY HAS BEEN MATCHED MORE THAN 200:1 BY FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL INVESTMENTS IN SERVICES AND RESOURCES FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, DEMONSTRATING THE EXTRAORDINARY RETURN ON STRATEGIC PUBLIC POLICY WORK.”

“Children first is the greater philadelphia region's leading child advocacy organization. Its mission is to improve the lives of low-income children and children of color by analyzing the obstacles to opportunity, proposing sound solutions that improve life outcomes, and working with public officials to put solutions in place. Children first focuses on the needs of the whole child by documenting the unmet needs of children of color and low-income children, proffering sound solutions that address racial inequities and produce opportunity for all children and building public support to enact these solutions. Our work afects a child's development, health and well-being from the moment they are born to adulthood.”