Programs

The Children''s Defense Fund''s programs are designed to uphold CDF’s mission 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.

CDF Programs and Initiatives

- Cradle to Prison Pipeline® Campaign
- Religious Action Division
- Tax and Benefits Outreach
- CDF Emerging Leaders® Program
- Katrina Relief

CDF Youth Leadership Network for ChildrenSM Programs

Just as CDF works to ensure that today’s children grow into healthy, contributing adults, CDF Youth Leadership Network for Children programs are designed to attract, equip and mobilize the next generation of youth as child advocates. Through these programs, youth gain an understanding of the need for child advocacy and the diverse mechanisms available for expressing their commitment to children. With this awareness, youth become effective advocates and connected to other concerned youth and organizations that can facilitate their ability to impact change. As they grow in the awareness of these concerns, it will ensure they become responsible adults who advocate for children in the workplace, community, political arena and home, regardless of career choice, economic class or and educational background.

- CDF Freedom Schools® Program
- Beat the Odds® Program
- Joshua and Deborah Generation
- Young Adult Leadership Training (YALTSM) Program
- HBCU Symposium for Children
- CDF SHOUT® Program
- CDF SPROUT® Program
- Internships