By educating city, state, and federal leaders about the struggles our families face — and how Children’s Aid succeeds in helping them — we can influence important decisions and implement generational changes.

While the bedrock of the Children’s Aid mission is providing direct support for the children, youth, and families we serve, it’s critical that we take a strong stance on issues that affect children and families in under-resourced communities. These efforts have raised the profile of the organization and made us a go-to thought leader on education, social service, and other issues related to poverty.

Making 50,000 voices heard

The Public Policy team cultivates and builds strategic external partnerships and relationships with government agencies and elected and appointed officials at the city, state, and federal levels. The team also manages the organization’s participation in key campaigns, coalitions, and alliances, all with the end goal of enhancing (or strengthening) the agency’s ability to affect policy.

Some of the key issues the organization has worked on in recent years include: 

• expanding after-school services;
• expanding early childhood education services, including universal pre-K;
• promoting evidence-based pregnancy prevention programs;
• protecting city funding for summer camp slots;
• growing the number of summer youth employment opportunities;
• demonstrating the efficacy of school-based health centers;
• increasing opportunities for youth in care; and
• promoting and sustaining community schools.

Children’s Aid’s leadership team is constantly evaluating its own core work and making certain that our advocacy closely aligns with it.