Welcome!

We're shaping fair and equitable public policy for all of DC's children and youth to grow up safe, resilient, powerful, and heard.

With the support of individuals and private foundations, DC Action for Children uses research, data, and a lens toward race equity to break down barriers that stand in the way of all kids reaching their full potential. Our collaborative advocacy campaigns empower young people and all residents to raise their voices to create change.

What's New?

We're hiring!

We're growing. Join Our Team!

By Kimberly Perry on September 12, 2019
DC Action for Children is a nonprofit, nonpartisan research and advocacy organization dedicated to ensuring that all children in the District of Columbia have the opportunity to reach their full potential. Through our DC KIDS COUNT project, DC Action is the primary source for data on conditions and outcomes for kids’ well-being. We are currently recruiting for the following positions:...
A message from the Bainum Family Foundation

Bainum Family Foundation Commends DC Council, Mayor for New Early Childhood Investments

By Kimberly Perry on July 23, 2019
by: Barbara Bainum Last year, Washington, D.C.’s Mayor and Council enacted ground-breaking legislation that sets the city on a path to creating a strong and equitable foundation for its youngest residents. The Birth-to-Three For All DC Act of 2018 is a blueprint for comprehensive education and health services for infants and toddlers that seeks to end the stark inequities in...
2019 KIDS COUNT Report

New KIDS COUNT Report Shows Child Poverty in DC Remains Unchanged since 1990

By Kimberly Perry on June 17, 2019
After D.C. Passes Historic $15 Billion Budget, New Report Shows Child Poverty Remains Unchanged since 1990 The District has one of the highest child poverty rates in the country, with more than one quarter of children living in families struggling to make ends meet Washington, D.C. — After months of debate over Mayor Muriel Bowser’s proposal, the Council of the...
Significant Birth to Three Funding Passes in the C Council

Significant Birth to Three Funding Passes in the DC Council

By Kimberly Perry on May 28, 2019
The Council of the District of Columbia passed a nearly $16 million investment as a partial yet key down payment on the Birth-to-Three for All DC Act of 2018. The Council’s commitment will fund measures to ensure healthier birth outcomes and supports for the District’s youngest residents to grow and thrive. Community advocacy to hold the Council accountable to the...
Council Testimony

Council Testimony: Qualified High Technology Company Program

By Ruqiyyah Abu Anbar on May 21, 2019
Testimony of Ruqiyyah Abu-Anbar Director of Early Childhood Policy and Programs DC Action for Children Before the Committee on Finance and Revenue Council of the District of Columbia May 21, 2019 Thank you Chairperson Evans and members of the Committee on Finance and Revenue for the opportunity to address the Council. My name is Ruqiyyah Abu-Anbar, and I am the...
Health Oversight Testimony

Council Testimony: Leverage for Our Future Act of 2019

By Ruqiyyah Abu Anbar on April 23, 2019
Testimony of Ruqiyyah Abu-Anbar Director of Early Childhood Policy and Programs DC Action for Children Health Public Hearing “Leverage for Our Future Act of 2019” Before the Committee on Health Council of the District of Columbia April 23, 2019 Good morning, Chairperson Gray, Councilmember Nadeau and members of the Committee on Health. Thank you for the opportunity to address the...
Health Oversight Testimony

Council Testimony: DC Health, Budget Oversight Hearing, FY 2020

By Ruqiyyah Abu Anbar on April 10, 2019
Testimony of Ruqiyyah Abu-Anbar Director of Early Childhood Policy and Programs DC Action for Children Agency Budget Oversight Hearing Fiscal Year 2020 Department of Health Before the Committee on Health Council of the District of Columbia April 9, 2019 Good afternoon, Councilmember Gray and members of the Committee on Health. Thank you for the opportunity to address the Council as...
Council Testimony

Council Testimony: OSSE, Budget Oversight Hearing, FY 2020

By Ruqiyyah Abu Anbar on April 10, 2019
Testimony of Ruqiyyah Abu-Anbar Director of Early Childhood Policy and Programs DC Action for Children Agency Budget Oversight Hearing Fiscal Year 2020 Office of the State Superintendent of Education Before the Committee of the Whole and the Committee on Education Council of the District of Columbia April 9, 2019 Good morning, Chairman Mendelson, Councilmember Grosso and members of the committees....
Grandparent and grandchild reading together

New Report: Keeping Kids in Families

By Shana Bartley on April 2, 2019
D.C. Making Strides in Keeping Children in Foster Care Connected to Families New 10-year Data Snapshot with State-by-State Data from the Annie E. Casey Foundation Shows Significant Progress in D.C. as National Rates Improve Washington, D.C. — Children in the District of Columbia’s foster care system are increasingly likely to live in families according to the “ Keeping Kids in...
Council Testimony

Council Testimony: OSSE Performance Oversight Hearing, FY 2018-2019

By Shana Bartley on February 22, 2019
Testimony of Shana Bartley, Executive Director DC Action for Children Agency Performance Oversight Hearing Fiscal Year 2018-2019 Office of the State Superintendent of Education Before the Committee of the Whole and the Committee on Education Council of the District of Columbia February 21, 2019 Good morning, Chairman Mendelson, Councilmember Grosso and members of the committees. Thank you for the opportunity...

Visit our DC KIDS COUNT Data Center

​

 

 

We need you.

Despite a booming economy, the District has one of the highest child poverty rates in the country, with more than one quarter of children and youth living in families struggling to make ends meet. Let's work together to break down structural barriers that stand in the way of all kids reaching their full potential.  Join Us!