About CDF-Ohio
Founded in 1981, Children’s Defense Fund-Ohio champions policies and programs that lift children out of poverty, protect them from abuse and neglect and ensure their access to appropriate and targeted health care, quality education and a moral and spiritual foundation. To support children and families in Ohio, CDF-Ohio works to improve healthcare access and health outcomes for children and their families, stop the push out of students from our schools due to zero tolerance school discipline practices, create a juvenile justice system that rehabilitates our youth and reduces recidivism, build a high quality and stable early childhood care and education system, and harness the statewide and national CDF youth and community networks to change the lives of Ohio’s children.
Our Mission
The Children’s Defense Fund Leave No Child Behind® mission is to ensure every child a Healthy Start, a Head Start, a Fair Start, a Safe Start and a Moral Start in life and successful passage to adulthood with the help of caring families and communities.
Children’s Defense Fund was founded in 1973 and is a private, nonprofit organization supported by individual donations, foundation, corporate and government grants. CDF provides a strong, effective and independent voice for all the children of America who cannot vote, lobby or speak for themselves. We pay particular attention to the needs of poor children, children of color and those with disabilities. CDF educates the nation about the needs of children and encourages preventive investments before they get sick, drop out of school, get into trouble or suffer family breakdown.
What We Do
How we’re working to give every child what they need to thrive and become successful adults.
What We Do
We’re working to give every child what they need to thrive and reach their full potential.
News & Views
Legislation and policies may change, but our mission never does. Read our most recent press releases to learn the latest.
***For Immediate Release *** July 1, 2021 Katherine Ungar Policy Associate 216-346-8465 kungar@childrensdefense.org Tracy Nájera Executive Director 614-226-6383 tnajera@childrensdefense.org Ohio Makes Some Positive Strides […]
Nearly 1 in 5 Ohio Students Were Not Graduating on Time Even Before COVID-19 Upended the Educations of Millions of Ohio Children, New Report Shows
UNDER EMBARGO until Monday, June 21 at 12:01 a.m. ET Kim Eckhart, KIDS COUNT Project Manager 614-312-8469 keckhart@childrensdefense.org Alison Paxson, Policy and Communications Associate 937-206-2576 […]
Another Child’s Life Ends Too Soon in a Police Shooting – This Must End
Another Child’s Life Ends Too Soon in a Police Shooting – This Must End For Immediate Release: April 22, 2021 Dr. Tracy Nájera, Executive Director […]
HB 248 endangers our thread bare public health systems and threatens child safety
HB 248 endangers our thread bare public health systems and threatens child safety June 23, 2021 By Kelly Vyzral, Senior Health Policy Associate Even as […]
Remove Harmful, Costly SNAP Eligibility Provisions from Ohio’s Budget
Remove Harmful, Costly SNAP Eligibility Provisions from Ohio’s Budget June 23, 2021 By Katherine Ungar, JD, Policy Associate The Senate’s version of the state’s biennial […]
CDF Letter to Conference Committee Members: Let’s bring it home for Ohio’s children!
CDF Letter to Conference Committee Members: Let’s bring it home for Ohio’s children! June 17, 2021 This week, six members of the legislature representing both […]
Small Boats & Wide Seas
Ever wonder about the story behind CDF’s iconic logo? Learn about the famous prayer and illustration including its discovery, implementation, and evolution.