Child Care and Head Start Organizer’s Toolkit CHILDREN’S DEFENSE FUND 2005 For additional information contact the Early Childhood Development Division at (202) 628-8787 or
[email protected] M I S S I O N The Children’s Defense Fund’s 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 adult- hood with the help of caring families and communities. CDF provides a strong, effective voice for all the children of America who cannot vote, lobby, or speak for themselves. We pay particular attention to the needs of poor and minority children and those with disabilities. CDF educates the nation about the needs of children and encourages preventive investment before they get sick or into trouble, drop out of school, or suffer family breakdown. CDF began in 1973 and is a private, nonprofit organization supported by foundation and corporate grants and individual donations. We have never taken government funds. M O V E M E N T For more than 30 years, CDF has been building a movement that stands for children. This means leading the way through research, education, advocacy, and organizing. MEETING CHILDREN’S NEEDS Child Health Access to comprehensive, quality, affordable health care services for all children. Child Welfare & Mental Health Advocating for children who are abused, neglected, homeless, or suffer from emotional and other problems. Early Childhood Development Quality, affordable child care; pre-kindergarten programs; and after-school activities for working parents.