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Help for Homeless Kids Kids shouldn’t be denied the help they need because government can't agree on defenitions. But U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development regulations deny more than 700,000 homeless children and youth help finding a safe place to stay, counseling to manage the trauma of losing a home, and meeting basic needs like food and clothing.  The Homeless Children and Youth Act, sponsored by Illinois Republican Congresswoman Judy Biggert, fixes the problem. It wouldn’t require local officials to help kids before adults – it would simply take the handcuffs off, allowing local leaders to make the best decisions they can. A key congressional subcommittee has alreadypassed the bill, and it’s headed for a vote in the House Financial Services Committee. The Campaign for Children has endorsed the bill. We’re working with a coalition of children’s advocates, advocates for the homeless, educators, and other concerned voices to make this important legislation a win for children. 2011 Champions for Children Announced  The Campaign for Children announced its annual Capitol Hill Champions for Children and Defenders of Children award winners for 2011. The awards recognize the top 100 Members of Congress working to make children and families a national priority in federal policy and budget decisions.In selecting Champions and Defenders, we took note of Congressional leaders who introduced, co-sponsored, and voted for legislation that would best meet the needs of children. Among the honorees, 50 members were awarded Champion for Children for their extraordinary efforts to protect and improve the future of America's next generation, and an additional 50 were named Defenders of Children for their support of efforts to advance policies that improve the well-being of America's children.To see which members were selected as Champions for Children and Defenders of Children, see the press release, or read our ad thanking winners in The Hill newspaper. Child Tax Credit Protected in Payroll Tax Extension  The President and Congress extended last week the bipartisan payroll tax cut and unemployment insurance without proposed restrictions to the Child Tax Credit (CTC). Cuts to the CTC would have taken $1,800 annually from 5.5 million children living in immigrant families. Designed to help parents manage the cost of raising children by making it easier to meet basic family needs, the CTC supports low- and middle-income families alike. But with child poverty at a 20-year high, the CTC is a lifeline to many kids, covering necessities like rent, food, and clothes. Read our fact sheetand POLITICO ad to learn more.Stay Connected: Validate Your Email Address We’re getting ready to update our mailing list, and it’s important to us that you get the information you want. To ensure that you continue to receive news and information from the First Focus Campaign for Children, please validate your email address before April 1st. It takes just a moment, and it will guarantee that you’re always in the know on federal priorities for children.
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