Top of Our List

Coalition Launches New Website to Help Homeless Kids

March 7, 2012
By Shannon Mott

HousingFirst Focus Campaign for Children is partnering with several organizations working to address the growing number of homeless children in our country. Together these organizations have supported the Homeless Children and Youth Act of 2011 (H.R. 32), which was introduced by Congresswoman Judy Biggert.

House Legislation on ESEA - Far from Ideal, Yet Gaining Traction

February 28, 2012
By Roberto Viramontes

Educators, school districts, governors, parents and other stakeholders have waited since 2007 for the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), currently called No Child Left Behind (NCLB). The U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions passed an ESEA reauthorization bill last October, and the U.S. House of Representatives will move their reauthorization bills toward a mark-up this week. In the meantime, the Obama Administration has issued ESEA waivers to 11 states, with more states applying this week.

Half-Time in America: Time to Reclaim Disconnected Youth

February 16, 2012
By Roberto Viramontes and Lindsay Torrico

If you caught Clint Eastwood’s Super Bowl commercial, perhaps you got shivers going up your spine as Eastwood spoke about tough economic times and American perseverance: “Its half time in America too, people are out of work and they’re hurting…and they’re wondering what they’re going to do to make a comeback.”

It's a sentiment that resonates with a lot of Americans, but perhaps especially with young people who are not connected to education, training programs or the workforce.

Top 15 Website Resources in 2011

January 11, 2012
By Bruce Lesley

As we enter the new year, we have looked back to review the issues or topics that captured our website vistors’ attention throughout the year. Below we have identified the 15 most popular resources on the First Focus Campaign for Children website in 2011. Here they are:

  • The State Flexibility Act Harms Children, Disrupts Coverage, and Ends CHIP as We Know It by Lisa Shapiro (June 1, 2011 - fact sheet)