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When was DC Action for Children founded?
Five DC women founded DC Action for Children in 1992. The women were concerned about the deteriorating conditions for children, youth and their families and so joined forces to look for ways to counteract this disturbing trend. After reviewing both the available services and obstacles facing children in this city they decided that a multi-issue advocacy organization was essential to improving the lives of children and youth in the District of Columbia.
What is DC ACT's mission?
DC ACT's mission is to improve conditions for children, youth and their families in the District.
What does DC Action for Children do?
DC ACT is the District of Columbia's only non-profit, multi-issue advocacy organization dedicated to improving conditions for children, youth and their families. We work to achieve our mission by using four broad strategies:
- To be an information resource for the community on issues and policies affecting children and families in the District of Columbia
- To build and mobilize an informed city-wide constituency committed to children
- To collaborate with other groups and organizations to help empower families and neighborhoods to advocate for children
- To promote public policy that improves the lives of children in the District of Columbia
Most recently, and through 2007, DC ACT staff will seek to improve outcomes for children and youth in five outcome areas by focusing attention on early care and education, child welfare, child health, positive youth development and the city's budget. We do this by testifying at public hearings, educating the public as well as elected and appointed leaders and analyzing the District budget.
With whom does DC ACT work?
The staff serves on a number of government and private committees, commissions and the like - currently in the areas of early care and education, child welfare, child health and positive youth development. Specifically, staff closely works with the Mayor's Advisory Committee on Early Childhood Development, the DC youth development advisory committee,
What are some of DC ACT's recent accomplishments?
One of DC Action for Children's most significant accomplishments of late has been the successful advocacy for the creation of a children's budget. Other work of significance includes:
making it easier for children, youth and their families to apply for DC Healthy Families and the Medicaid program.
How can I work with DC ACT to improve conditions for young people?
DC Action for Children is not a membership organization, but we do work with individuals and organizations as a regular and instrumental part of our work. DC ACT publishes a variety of educational and action-oriented publications-the DC ACT Legislative and Information Alert and Calling All Child Advocates, to name two. Subscriptions are free. Please click below to begin receiving our publications.
DC Action for Children is ready to provide budget and other advocacy trainings to community-based and other organizations so that residents, service providers and concerned residents can advocate for themselves and their communities. We also are available to serve as panelists and speakers at trainings and conferences. Call 202-234-9404 for more information.
How can I support DC Action for Children?
We have made the deliberate decision to take only private funding, meaning that we accept no local or federal government funding. This allows us to be objective and fight for children and youth. Because of this, we rely on individual, corporate and foundation support. To make a donation, click here. To make a general donation to DC ACT, click here.
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