(WASHINGTON, Aug. 17, 2011) Children and youth in the nation’s capital have been hit hard by the recent recession and continuing economic hardships for families, according to the 2011 KIDS COUNT Data Book, released today by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Among the states and territories, the District has the highest percent of children under 18 living in poverty (29 percent) and living in families without secure parental employment (44 percent), with the exception of only Puerto Rico.
Media & Press
Welcome to DC Action for Children's media and press room. Here, you'll find the latest press releases and news coverage related to our work to ensure that Washington, D.C.'s children have a chance for success in school and in life.
If you are a member of the press and are on deadline, please direct any inquiries to HyeSook Chung at hchung@dckids.org or 202-234-9404.
»
Press Releases
August 17, 2011
January 19, 2011
Children born and raised in the nation's capital – where one in three live in poverty – face increasingly difficult odds, including rising rates of child abuse and neglect, according to the 17th annual fact book from the D.C. KIDS COUNT Collaborative.
DC Action for Children in the News
The Washington Examiner | November 29, 2011
HyeSook Chung spoke with reporter Lisa Gartner about the new Census numbers for children in poverty and the impact in schools.
The Current | October 18, 2011
HyeSook Chung spoke with reporter Jessica Gould about DC’s effort to submit a strong proposal.
El Tiempo Latino | Sept. 2, 2011
Ana Cubias spoke to Executive Director HyeSook Chung about the 2011 KIDS COUNT Data Book and how it reflects the challenges facing low-income Hispanic families in D.C. Article is in Spanish.
The Washington Post | Sept. 7, 2011
Post education writer Bill Turque covered the D.C. Council’s roundtable on middle school. DC Council Chairman Kwame Brown cited research by DC Action for Children that shows that more than half of students in D.C. who drop out of school do so in the ninth grade. Also, proficient on the DC CAS equates to “below basic” on the national test that measures student achievement.
WAMU 88.5 FM American University Radio | March 17, 2011
DC Action Executive Director HyeSook Chung speaks to the importance of boosting quality and access in early care and education.
Washington Post | Feb. 26, 2011
Today in Washington D.C. there are enough preschool and Pre-K slots for every 3- and 4-year-old child seeking a spot. This is a milestone worth applauding -- but the next phase is more daunting. We now must work to ensure that all children not only have access to free preschool and Pre-K in their neighborhood, but that the early education they receive is of the highest quality. Read HyeSook Chung's guest column on the "Answer Sheet" blog.
El Tiempo Latino | Jan. 28, 2011
The Spanish-language weekly looks at how the latest D.C. KIDS COUNT report reflects the challenges facing Hispanic children growing up in the District, particularly those who are children of recent immigrants. Reporter Ana Cubias spoke with Aparna Kumar, DC Action's director of communications.
The Washington Post | Dec. 10, 2010
Columnist Petula Dvorak writes about the importance of child-care subsidies to single, working mothers who would not otherwise be able to afford child care. HyeSook Chung explains that subsidies are critical to ensuring that child care centers stay in business and provide quality, affordable early care and education.
The Current | Nov. 24, 2010
HyeSook Chung spoke to reporter Jessica Gould about Mayor-Elect Vincent Gray's Birth-to-24 education reform agenda.
The Washington Post | August 27, 2010
HyeSook Chung spoke to Washington Post reporter Dylan Matthews about the significance of a new blended Pre-K and Head Start program, which launched this fall across DC Public Schools. The interview appeared in the widely read Wonkbook blog.
The Collaborative Connection | Summer 2010
In this commentary piece, HyeSook Chung explains the significance and impact of School-wide Head Start in DC Public Schools.
Metrowatch | June 16, 2010
Host Gloria Minott interviews HyeSook Chung about the critical need for quality early care and education in the District and about DC Action for Children's grant from the Kellogg Foundation.
The Collaborative Connection | Spring 2010
HyeSook Chung, formerly a consultant with the Women's Foundation, support- ing the Early Care and Education Funders Collaborative, and the DC State Board of Education, has joined the DC Action for Children (DC ACT) as executive director.
WAMU 88.5 FM American University Radio | March 31, 2010
March 31, 2010 - Finding quality childcare is an agonizing ordeal for many parents, so just imagine if your family's income is little more than $36,000 a year and you require care for a four-year-old and an infant. As commentator HyeSook Chung notes, if you live in the District of Columbia, sending your children to a licensed center will cost you almost 60 percent of that income. Read the transcript or listen to the story.
Washington Business Journal | October 30, 2009
Jonathan O'Connell reports that new Executive Director, HyeSook Chung, took a risk in taking over the leadership of DC Action for Children. But, he also captures Chung's confidence in being able to re-build the organization to serve as the city's premier advocate for children.
Washington Business Journal | September 30, 2009
The Washington Business Journal reports on HyeSook Chung's background qualifications to serve as DC Action for Children's new executive director, as well as her vision for how she'll lead the organization in the coming weeks and months. Read more.
1432 K Street, NW, Suite 1050, Washington, DC 20005 
Phone: 202-234-9404 Email: info@dckids.org
2010 DC Action for Children
Phone: 202-234-9404 Email: info@dckids.org
2010 DC Action for Children