the POINT.
When We Fight, We Win
Jun 12, 2026
One Week, Three Big Wins for PA Kids FROM THE DESK OF MAI MIKSIC, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR I've been doing policy and advocacy long enough to know...
Virtual La-La Land
Jun 5, 2026
CYBER CHARTERS: FACT vs. FICTION Cyber charter schools are playing the victim…again. Just this week, our Executive Director, Mai Miksic, took...
Opportunity, Not Optics
May 29, 2026
Giving Families What They Really Need Affordability is the hot political word of the moment and with good reason – the economy is the most...
Hot off the presses!
May 22, 2026
All the Children First News That's Fit to Print Have you heard the latest from Children First? Our Spring 2026 edition of Childwatch is...
What to do about child care
May 15, 2026
What Do the Experts Say? The buzz around child care is not dying down, especially in this time when families are trying to manage soaring...
Whose Schools? Our Schools!
May 8, 2026
Education is a Shared Responsibility Sparks flew at the Philadelphia School Board meeting last week when it voted behind closed doors to...
Meet Mai Miksic, our New Executive Director!
May 1, 2026
Making Children the Top Priority Dear Friends and Colleagues, I am proud to introduce myself as the new Executive Director of Children First....
Someone’s Doing It Right
Apr 24, 2026
Support Can't Wait Until Crisis What if we stopped waiting for children to reach a breaking point before helping them? Across PA, families...
Giving People What They Want, April 17, 2026
Apr 17, 2026
Giving the People What They Want Want to talk about affordability? Lowering child care costs? Expanding health insurance for kids? How about...
The cost to the cost of living
Apr 17, 2026
Giving the People What They Want Want to talk about affordability? Lowering child care costs? Expanding health insurance for kids? How about...
NEWSLETTERS
ChildWatch Newsletter – Fall/Winter 2025
Nov 10, 2025
In this edition you’ll read about: Supporting Young Learners Budget Impasses Hurt All Advocacy in Action: The Fight against Lead Paint Poisoning...
ChildWatch Newsletter – Spring/Summer 2025
May 10, 2025
In this edition you’ll read about: A Decade of Stalled Progress Top Priorities for 2025 Advocacy in Action: Fix These Six Federal Child-Harming...
ChildWatch Newsletter – Fall/Winter 2024
Oct 10, 2024
In this edition you’ll learn about: Child Care Voters We're Turning 45 Advocacy in Action: A Big Win for K-12 Public Education Insure Every Child: A...
ChildWatch Newsletter – Spring/Summer 2024
Jun 21, 2024
In this edition of the Childwatch Newsletter, you’ll learn about: Pa'Lante Report on Hispanic Children in Philadelphia New Leadership: Javier...
ChildWatch Newsletter – Fall/Winter 2023
Nov 16, 2023
In this edition of the Childwatch Newsletter, you’ll learn about: The Next Big Thing for Kids $2 Million Investment in Removing Lead Hazards...
ChildWatch Newsletter – Spring/Summer 2023
Aug 8, 2023
In this edition of the Childwatch Newsletter, you’ll learn about: The Kids Campaign and Priorities for the Next Mayor Eradicating Lead Exposure...
ChildWatch Newsletter – Fall/Winter 2022
Nov 29, 2022
In this edition of the Childwatch Newsletter, you’ll learn about: The Big Thing: A Summit To Change Young Lives Our Policy Victories in the...
ChildWatch Newsletter – Spring/Summer 2022
May 30, 2022
In this edition of the Childwatch Newsletter, you’ll learn about: Making Child Care a Priority Our 2022 Celebration The Lead Free Promise Project...
ChildWatch Newsletter – Fall/Winter 2021
Nov 23, 2021
Welcome to the first edition of our newly redesigned Childwatch Newsletter under our new name, Children First. In this edition you'll learn about:...
ChildWatch Newsletter – Spring/Summer 2021
Jun 16, 2021
Check out this FLIPPY EDITION of our newsletter! In this edition, you’ll read about: PCCY’s direct service projects like Give Kids a Smile Day, Give...
WHAT WE HAD TO SAY
TESTIMONY: Children First’s Statement Ride Share/School Closures
May 8, 2026
Children First’s Statement Ride Share/School Closures Presented to Philadelphia City Council, May 2026 Inella Ray, Director of Parent Advocacy &...
Testimony: Philadelphia City Council, Rideshare Fee
Apr 21, 2026
Testimony to Philadelphia City Council Presented by Donna Cooper, Executive Director, Children First Re: Resolutions 26025 and 260208 My name is...
Testimony: Universal PreK, PA House of Representatives
Mar 4, 2026
Testimony on Universal PreK Zaina Cahill, Early Childhood Education Policy Director Children First March 3, 2026 Download PDF My name is Zaina...
Testimony: School Facilities Plan 2026
Mar 2, 2026
Testimony to the School Board of Philadelphia Re: School Facilities Plan Feb. 26, 2026 DOWNLOAD PDF Good evening, board members. My name is Symbol...
Testimony: Making OYO Permanent
Feb 19, 2026
Testimony Presented to Philadelphia City Council Stefanie Arbutina, Vulnerable Youth Policy Director February 19, 2026 Good morning, Council...
TESTIMONY: GPS technology in Philadelphia’s juvenile justice system
Oct 29, 2025
Testimony Presented to Philadelphia City Council Children and Youth and Technology and Information Services Committees Stefanie Arbutina, Vulnerable...
Testimony: Lead Paint Poisoning in Yeadon Borough
Oct 7, 2025
Testimony presented to Yeadon Borough Council Rosemarie Halt, Health Policy Consultant Children First June 5, 2025 Good evening, Mayor Hepkins, and...
TESTIMONY: Mental Health Needs of Children in Kensington
Sep 16, 2025
Testimony Presented to Philadelphia City Council Hearing on Mental Health Needs of Children in Kensington Kids Donna Cooper, Executive Director...
TESTIMONY: Increasing Millage Rate, Inella Ray – April 30, 2025
May 2, 2025
Testimony to the Philadelphia City Council on Increasing Millage Rate Presented by Inella Ray, Director of Parent Advocacy and Engagement, Children...
TESTIMONY: Increasing Millage Rate – April 30, 2025
Apr 30, 2025
Testimony to the Philadelphia City Council on Increasing Millage Rate Presented by Donna Cooper, Executive Director, Children First April 30, 2025...