7 Shocking Realities Revealed By First Focus On Children's 2025 Advocacy
The landscape of child advocacy in the United States is at a critical juncture, and First Focus on Children is leading the charge to keep kids a national priority. As of December 2025, this bipartisan organization is navigating an increasingly complex political environment, marked by significant threats to federal programs and a four-year decline in investment in the nation’s youth. Their latest publications and policy analyses serve as a stark warning and a comprehensive roadmap for lawmakers, revealing a discouraging reality for America's children that demands immediate legislative action.
Operating as a critical voice in Washington, D.C., First Focus on Children is dedicated to ensuring that children and families are the absolute priority in all federal policy and budget decisions. Their work transcends political divides, using cutting-edge research and data-driven analysis to inform Congress and the American public about the interconnected challenges facing children’s health, economic security, and overall well-being. The following points highlight the most urgent findings and policy battles they are engaging in right now.
The Bipartisan Mission: Making Children the Federal Priority
First Focus on Children is not a single entity but a comprehensive organization that includes the First Focus on Children (a non-profit policy and research center) and the First Focus Campaign for Children (a non-profit, non-partisan advocacy arm). This structure allows them to conduct deep policy analysis while simultaneously lobbying for legislative change. Their core mission is to shift the national conversation from simply acknowledging problems to implementing concrete, effective solutions.
The organization’s work is built upon a foundation of holistic child well-being, recognizing that issues like health care, early care and education, and economic security are deeply intertwined. By focusing on the federal budget, they track how taxpayer dollars are—or are not—being allocated to programs that directly benefit children, from Head Start to the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
Entity and Topical Authority List
- First Focus on Children
- First Focus Campaign for Children
- Bipartisan Advocacy
- Federal Policy Decisions
- Federal Budget
- Child Well-Being Index (CWI)
- Children's Budget 2025
- Legislative Scorecard
- 118th Congress
- Champions for Children Award
- Project 2025 Analysis
- Heritage Foundation
- Child Poverty Rate
- Economic Security for Families
- Early Care and Education
- Health Care Access
- Child Welfare System
- U.S. Census Bureau Data
- Department of Education
- DHSPS Staff Termination
- Fiscal Year (FY) Spending
- Kids Impact Initiative
- Legislative Action
- Youth Development Institute
- Puerto Rico Child and Youth Well-Being Index
- Tax Policy (e.g., Child Tax Credit)
- Maternal and Child Health
- Juvenile Justice Reform
- Congressional Budget Office (CBO)
The 7 Most Urgent Findings from First Focus on Children’s 2025 Reports
The organization’s signature publications, including the annual Children’s Budget and the Legislative Scorecard, offer a clear, data-driven picture of the challenges facing children in the current political climate. These findings are the basis for their 2025 policy priorities.
1. Federal Investment in Children Has Fallen for Four Straight Years
The Children’s Budget 2025 report reveals a deeply concerning trend: federal investment in children has declined for the fourth consecutive year, both in total funding and as a share of overall federal spending. This decline means that essential programs across health, education, and child welfare are being shortchanged, hitting the lowest level since the previous Trump Administration. The report analyzes over 250 government programs, painting a clear picture of how children are consistently being de-prioritized in the fiscal year budget discussions.
2. The Child Poverty Rate More Than Doubled in a Single Year
A major focus of their recent advocacy stems from U.S. Census Bureau data showing that child poverty more than doubled in 2022, resulting in an additional 6.2 million kids in poverty. This dramatic increase is largely attributed to the expiration of the expanded Child Tax Credit (CTC). First Focus on Children continues to champion the reinstatement and expansion of the CTC as the most effective tool for improving economic security for families and reducing child poverty.
3. Project 2025 Poses an Existential Threat to Children’s Programs
First Focus on Children has published a detailed analysis of the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025, a comprehensive policy agenda for a potential future Republican administration. Their analysis warns that this "playbook" would slash or dismantle numerous programs vital to children’s well-being, including those related to health, nutrition, and education. They are actively working to educate lawmakers and the public on the severe negative consequences of these proposals on the nation's youth.
4. The Legislative Scorecard Reveals Widespread Congressional Neglect
As the 118th Congress draws to a close, the First Focus Legislative Scorecard exposes a "discouraging reality" regarding lawmakers' priorities. The Scorecard ranks members of Congress based on their votes and bill sponsorships related to children's issues. The low scores for many legislators underscore a systemic failure in the legislative branch to make children a top priority, leading the organization to recognize a limited number of "Champions for Children" who demonstrated a true commitment.
5. Child Well-Being is Stagnating Across Key Indicators
The annual Child Well-Being Index (CWI), one of First Focus's signature publications, continues to show overall stagnation in child well-being across a range of research-based indicators. While the U.S. is one of the wealthiest nations, the CWI demonstrates that American children often fare worse on key metrics compared to their peers in other developed countries. This holistic view highlights interconnected challenges in areas like mental health, physical health, and educational achievement.
6. The Push to Abolish the Department of Education is a Major Concern
Among the specific policy threats First Focus on Children is tracking is the misguided push to abolish the Department of Education. The organization views this as a direct attack on educational opportunities and resources for children across the country. Their advocacy is focused on preserving and strengthening federal support for public education and early learning initiatives.
7. Advocacy is Crucial for Protecting Specific Program Staffing
Beyond broad policy, First Focus on Children engages in targeted advocacy to protect the infrastructure of child services. They recently joined a joint statement with 176 national, state, and local organizations opposing the termination of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) staff who work on specific protective services for children and families. This effort highlights the critical need to protect the human resources dedicated to child welfare and safety.
The Path Forward: Policy Priorities for 2026 and Beyond
Looking ahead, First Focus on Children's policy priorities remain centered on reversing the four-year decline in federal investment and protecting children from harmful legislative proposals. Their strategy involves continuous education, publishing detailed analyses, and mobilizing a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers to support legislation that strengthens the social safety net.
Key areas of focus for the upcoming fiscal year discussions will include:
- Economic Security: Pushing for a robust, permanent expansion of the Child Tax Credit to lift millions of kids out of poverty.
- Health Care: Ensuring the stability and expansion of Medicaid and CHIP, especially for maternal and child health programs.
- Child Welfare: Advocating for increased funding for the child welfare system to support family preservation and improved outcomes for children in foster care.
- Immigration and Children: Working to ensure that all immigration policies prioritize the best interests of the child, particularly for unaccompanied minors and children crossing the border.
By providing policymakers with the data from the Children's Budget 2025 and the Child Well-Being Index, First Focus on Children aims to compel the 119th Congress to finally prioritize the nation's most vulnerable population. The fight for the next generation's future is not just a political battle—it is a moral imperative that requires sustained, bipartisan commitment.
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