the POINT.

September 12, 2025

Education | eNews

The Nation’s Report Card – Sep 12, 2025

WHY ARE SO MANY STUDENTS FAILING MATH AND SCIENCE ASSESSMENTS? It’s beyond depressing that two thirds of American high...

September 5, 2025

Education | eNews

Looming threats to education – Sept 5, 2025

HANGING BY A THREAD “I returned last year as a librarian to reopen five elementary school libraries, all of...

August 15, 2025

Education | eNews

A Better Deal for Kids – Aug 15, 2025

CYBER CHARTER REFORM IS NO GAME Today’s state budget negotiations feel like a game of UNO – find a...

August 8, 2025

Education | eNews

Two Weeks and Counting… – Aug 8, 2025

Students Going Back to School But PA Senate Still Stalling State Budget Negotiations With 447,330 PA students returning to classrooms...

August 1, 2025

eNews | K-12 | Philadelphia

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...

July 25, 2025

Education | eNews

Coming Up Aces for Kids – Jul 25, 2025

WHO’S WINNING IN THIS GAME? PA students could hit the jackpot if the players in Harrisburg would agree on...

July 18, 2025

Education | eNews | Paid Family Leave | Vulnerable Youth

What’s the Story in Harrisburg? – July 18, 2025

FUNDING EDUCATION CAN’T TAKE A VACATION In about a month, kids are going to return to the classroom and schools...

July 11, 2025

Early Learning | eNews

It’s Just Cruel… – July 11, 2025

Federal Policy that Harms Children Should be A Non-Starter Yesterday, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued...

June 27, 2025

Early Learning | eNews

No staff = No child care – June 27, 2025

MAKING PROGRESS ON CHILD CARE It’s about darn time. Parents and child care providers too often get lip service...

June 20, 2025

eNews | Vulnerable Youth

When the Punishment is Worse than the Crime – June 20, 2025

JAILING CHILDREN HURTS US ALL America locks up children more than most countries in the world. It’s because our...

June 15, 2025

Education | eNews

Are vouchers coming to PA? – June 15, 2025

REAL CHOICE REQUIRES REAL INVESTMENT State lawmakers have a choice to make. Choice 1: dedicate tax dollars to building...

June 6, 2025

eNews | Lead Poisoning

Toto, We’re Not in DC Anymore – June 6, 2025

TWO BEFORE TWO There’s no place like home, according to Dorothy. Thanks to lawmakers in our home state, PA kids...

May 30, 2025

eNews | Vulnerable Youth

Right from the PA Attorney General – May 30, 2025

PA’S TOP COP SUPPORTS DIVERTING KIDS FROM JAIL “When you collaborate and have great outcomes, people like to see...

May 23, 2025

Child Health | eNews | Insure Every Child

A Backstop to Federal Cuts – May 23, 2025

THEY’RE MESSING WITH PENNSYLVANIAN’S CHILDREN Four TRILLION dollars in tax cuts passed at the expense of children and families....

May 16, 2025

Education | eNews

Storm Clouds Over Education – May 16, 2025

THIS IS WHAT COMMITMENT LOOKS LIKE Penn-Delco student Cameryn Knight-Branch didn’t mince words, standing in the rain as she...

April 18, 2025

Early Learning | eNews

Don’t Stop Head Start – Apr 18, 2025

THROWING BABY OUT WITH THE BATH WATER Of all of the cost-cutting measures floated or implemented by the new...

April 11, 2025

All Issues | eNews

Your Taxes Should Pay Off for Kids – Apr 11, 2025

EVERY CHILD LEFT BEHIND Did you file your tax return yet for 2024? Eight out of ten of us...

April 8, 2025

Education | eNews

Stop the devastation of special education – Apr 4, 2025

LOCAL TEACHER’S POWERFUL PLEA TO SAVE THE DEPT OF ED Dismantling the Department of Education has real consequences for...

March 28, 2025

eNews | Paid Family Leave

Giving baby monitors a new meaning – Mar 28, 2025

A LITTLE RED LIGHT Nora Bongiovanni was born nine weeks early and spent the first 14 weeks of her...

March 21, 2025

eNews | Vulnerable Youth

Two Wrongs Don’t Make a Right – Mar 21, 2025

BUILDING SAFER COMMUNITIES & BRIGHTER FUTURES Do children as young as ten years old end up shackled and in...

March 14, 2025

Child Health | Delaware County | eNews

Can private equity turn a profit on kids? – Mar 14, 2025

A Half-Billion Dollar Swindle in Delco Harms Children After the private equity owners of the Crozer Medical system in...

March 5, 2025

All Issues | eNews | Regional Report

More than a Tune Up – Feb 28, 2025

STALLED PROGRESS FOR KIDS IN SOUTHEASTERN PA When your car stalls over and over again, you take it to...

February 21, 2025

eNews | Racial Equity

Build on Black History Month – Feb 21, 2025

EDUCATION IS THE FOUNDATION OF EQUITY It’s hard to ignore the contrast: while communities are celebrating Black History Month,...

February 14, 2025

All Issues | eNews

Kids, We All Love ‘Em – Feb 14, 2025

SHOW THAT YOU LOVE CHILDREN Today’s the day when children share handmade Valentine’s Day cards and treats with the...

February 7, 2025

eNews | State Budget

Fly, children, fly – Feb 7, 2025

February 5, 2025

eNews

Children First PA Budget Analysis 2025-2026: What’s it Means for Children?

Governor Shapiro FY 2026 State Budget Proposal What’s it Means for Children February 5, 2025 Governor Shapiro delivered his third...

January 24, 2025

Early Learning | eNews

More than a Spoonful of Sugar – Jan 24, 2025

IF IT’S NOT BROKEN, DON’T FIX IT After a rocky start this year, it’s baffling that Philadelphia City Council...

January 17, 2025

eNews | Vulnerable Youth

A Step Forward, but Still Falling Back – Jan 17, 2025

PHILLY COURTS DOUBLES DOWN ON LOCKING KIDS UP Just when we thought it was safe(r) to be a kid...

January 10, 2025

Education | eNews

What Education Can We All Agree On? – Jan 9, 2025

CTE: A SLAM-DUNK FOR PA STUDENTS AND LAWMAKERS Not every student wants to go to college, but they want...

January 3, 2025

eNews | Vulnerable Youth

It is a happy new year – Jan 3, 2025

HOPE FOR THE FUTURE There is good news already this year for Philadelphia children and teens – fewer of...

WHAT WE HAD TO SAY

May 2, 2025

Education | Testimony

TESTIMONY: Increasing Millage Rate, Inella Ray – April 30, 2025

Testimony to the Philadelphia City Council on Increasing Millage Rate Presented by Inella Ray, Director of Parent Advocacy and Engagement,...

April 30, 2025

Education | Testimony

TESTIMONY: Increasing Millage Rate – April 30, 2025

Testimony to the Philadelphia City Council on Increasing Millage Rate Presented by Donna Cooper, Executive Director, Children First April 30,...

April 4, 2025

Education | Testimony

TESTIMONY: Keeping Students Joy, Priyanka Reyes-Kaura 4-4-2025

Testimony Presented to Philadelphia City Council By Priyanka Reyes-Kaura Children First K-12 Education Policy Director April 4, 2025 Children First...

April 4, 2025

Education | Testimony

TESTIMONY: Keeping Students Joy, Donna Cooper 4-4-2025

Testimony Presented to Philadelphia City Council By Donna Cooper Children First Executive Director April 4, 2025 Thank you for the...

March 6, 2025

State Budget | Testimony

TESTIMONY: Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit Bill – Feb 26 2025

Testimony for House Finance Information Session In support of the Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit bill Priyanka Reyes-Kaura, K-12 Education Policy...

October 31, 2024

Paid Family Leave | Testimony

TESTIMONY: Paid Family Leave

Testimony to the House Democratic Policy Committee Presented by Dan O’Brien, Policy Manager, Education and Family Stability, Children First October...

October 2, 2024

Early Learning | Philadelphia | Testimony

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...

September 9, 2024

Education | Philadelphia | Testimony

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...

August 22, 2024

Education | Testimony

Testimony: Philadelphia School Board on School Funding

Philadelphia School Board Testimony Priyanka Reyes-Kaura, K12 Policy Director, Children First August 22, 2024 My name is Priyanka Reyes-Kaura and...

April 26, 2024

Education | Philadelphia | Testimony

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...

April 3, 2024

Education | Philadelphia | Testimony

Testimony to Philadelphia City Council: FY2025 Budget Bills

Testimony Presented to the Philadelphia City Council Fiscal Year 2025 Tax Bills By Symbol Lai, Philadelphia Mobilization and Policy Director,...

March 29, 2024

Education | Testimony

Testimony to Philadelphia Board of Education on Charter School Funding

Testimony Presented to the Philadelphia Board of Education By Priyanka Reyes-Kaura, K-12 Education Policy Director, Children First March 28, 2024...

March 5, 2024

Education | Testimony

Testimony: House Policy Committee: Basic Ed Funding Comms.

Children First Testimony Presented By Donna Cooper, Executive Director To the Pennsylvania House Democratic Policy Committee March 5, 2024 Regarding...

January 29, 2024

Education | Testimony

TESTIMONY: Philadelphia BOE – Camp Akili

Testimony Presented to the Philadelphia Board of Education By Inella Ray, Director of Parent Advocacy & Engagement, Children First January...

October 24, 2023

Early Learning | Education | Testimony

TESTIMONY: Child Literacy – PA House of Representatives

Testimony Presented by Donna Cooper, Executive Director, Children First PA to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives Joint Hearing Education and...

October 17, 2023

Education | Testimony

TESTIMONY: Philadelphia City Council Early Intervention Services

On Tuesday, October 17, 2023, Philadelphia City Councilperson Kenyatta Johnson held a hearing on Early Intervention Services for children in...

September 28, 2023

Education | Testimony

TESTIMONY: Basic Education Funding Commission

Testimony Presented to the Pennsylvania Basic Education Funding Commission By Donna Cooper, Executive Director, Children First September 14, 2023 The...

August 17, 2023

Education | Testimony

Testimony: Revoking the Charter of Franklin Towne Charter High School, August 2023

Testimony on Revoking the Charter of Franklin Towne Charter High School School District of Philadelphia Board of Education Meeting August...

June 27, 2023

Child Health | Education | Testimony

TESTIMONY: Opioid Settlement Money in Delaware County, June 2023

Children First Statement on Opioid Settlement Money June 15, 2023 Delaware County is set to receive $63 million in opioid...

June 27, 2023

Child Health | Delaware County | Testimony

TESTIMONY: Opioid Settlement Money in Delaware County, June 2023

June 6, 2023

Paid Family Leave | Testimony

TESTIMONY: Child Care Tax Credit

Testimony on House Bill 1259 House Finance Committee June 5, 2023 Dan O’Brien, Policy Manager, Education and Family Stability Children...

May 5, 2023

Early Learning | Testimony

TESTIMONY: PHLPreK – May 2023

Children First invited three parents to submit testimony to Philadelphia City Council on expansion of available slots for PHLpreK. Read...

March 30, 2023

Education | Testimony

TESTIMONY: Ending Hunger in Pennsylvania’s Schools

Statement of Jonathan Stein for Children First PA before the PA House Children & Youth and Education Committees March 30,...

January 30, 2023

Education | Philadelphia | Testimony

Testimony to the School Board of Philadelphia

Testimony to the School Board of Philadelphia January 27, 2023 Kate Fox, Behavioral Health Policy Director, Children First Hello, my...

November 17, 2022

Education | Testimony

TESTIMONY: Read To Succeed – Nov 17, 2022

Children First Testimony Before the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Policy Hearing Read to Succeed: Early Childhood and Its Effects on Childhood...

November 16, 2022

PA Charter Performance Center | Testimony

TESTIMONY: ChallengeU Cyber Charter School Application – Nov 16, 2022

COMMENTS OPPOSING THE CHALLENGEU CYBER CHARTER SCHOOL APPLICATION Pennsylvania Department of Education November 16, 2022 ML Wernecke, Director, PA Charter...

November 15, 2022

PA Charter Performance Center | Testimony

TESTIMONY: Pennwood Cyber Charter School Application – Nov 10, 2022

COMMENTS OPPOSING THE PENNWOOD CYBER CHARTER SCHOOL APPLICATION Pennsylvania Department of Education November 10, 2022 ML Wernecke, Director, PA Charter...

September 22, 2022

Education | Philadelphia | Testimony

TESTIMONY: GPEC Testimony to Philadelphia Board of Education – Sep 22, 2022

The Greater Philadelphia Extracurricular Collaborative (GPEC) is a coalition of out-of-school time (OST) providers and interested funders in Philadelphia and...

May 6, 2022

Education | Testimony

TESTIMONY: Philadelphia City Council: School District Budget – May 4, 2022

School District of Philadelphia Budget Hearing at City Council Children First Testimony May 4, 2022 Good afternoon. My name is...

May 4, 2022

Education | Testimony

TESTIMONY: Elimination of the Bureau of School Audits – May 4, 2022

Children First Testimony May 4, 2022 Presented to the PA House Democratic Policy Committee Regarding Attorney General DeFoor’s Elimination of...

the POINT.

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WHAT WE HAD TO SAY