Reversing the Summer Slide – Aug 1, 2025

  SOME GOOD NEWS FOR A CHANGE “Aaliyah is learning so much at her summer program. She has fun, she learns a lot and gets to do things like museums and field trips that I can’t do,” said Aaliyah’s grandmother, Michelle, who is raising the...

STATEMENT: Philly Child Welfare System is Failing Children

Philadelphia’s Child Welfare System Is Failing Children — It Must Be Reformed Now (April 11, 2025) Children First is heartbroken for the children and families failed by Philadelphia’s child welfare system, as revealed in this week’s Philadelphia Inquirer series on the...

Children First Releases the 2025 County Reports

Children First is releasing five reports on the children in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties, titled, “A Decade of Stalled Progress.” Click the images below to download a copy of the report. Bucks County Chester County Delaware...

TESTIMONY: “Soda Tax” – Philadelphia City Council

Testimony to the Philadelphia Tax Reform Commission, Subcommittee on “Other Taxes” Presented by Donna Cooper, Executive Director, Children First September 28, 2024 By way of this testimony, I want to present new information regarding the effectiveness of the...

Testimony: School District of Philadelphia – CTE in Philly Schools

A rigorous study of Philadelphia CTE high school students, 70% of whom are economically disadvantaged and 85% BIPOC, found that these students were 30% more likely to graduate on-time than students attending comprehensive/neighborhood high schools that shared nearly...

Testimony to Philadelphia City Council: School Board Confirmations

Testimony Presented to the Philadelphia City Council School Board Confirmations By Symbol Lai, Philadelphia Mobilization and Policy Director, Children First PA April 25, 2024   Hello! My name is Symbol Lai. I’m here for Children First. I’m here to testify in support...