About Us

Our Vision and Mission

Data/Analysis + Communications = Leadership Role on DC Children’s and Youth Issues

Vision: DC children and youth who are most in need of health, education, safety and financial well-being are receiving competent and equitable services.

Mission: DC Action for Children provides data-based analysis and policy leadership on critical issues facing DC children and youth.

Our History

DC Action for Children was founded in 1992 by stakeholders concerned about the deteriorating conditions for Washington, DC’s children. They formed the nonprofit DC Action for Children to help break the cycle of poverty through early interventions in the lives of DC’s youngest children.

In its first two decades, DC Action for Children worked to improve outcomes for children by focusing on a broad array of issues, including early care and education, child welfare, child health and youth development.

Today, with support from the Annie E. Casey Foundation to become the home of DC KIDS COUNT, DC Action is the primary source of data on conditions and outcomes for all children and youth in DC. We work closely with city agencies, the school system and providers to get the most accurate and timely data and make it clear and accessible to all on our website. The data from DC KIDS COUNT drive our advocacy agenda.