The Young Professionals Advisory Council of Children First is bringing back their toy drive for a fourth year in a row!  Join us on Wednesday, December 6th from 5:30pm to 7:30pm at Uptown Beer Garden, 1500 JFK Blvd.  Bring a toy, get a free well drink.  Can't make the event?  Let us do the shopping […]

  The Justice In Education (JIE) Fellowship is a free program for young people, 7th to 12th grades, to learn how to be powerful advocates for public education and engage in the lawmaking process. REGISTER TODAY REGISTER TODAY

  February 7th is the one-year anniversary of the historic Commonwealth Court ruling in favor of education funding and the day after Governor Shapiro releases his state budget. Join Children First and PA Schools Work for a rally at the State Capitol, calling on lawmakers to meet their constitutional obligation and invest $5.4 billion additional […]

We'd love for you to tune in to our Budget Olympics event on February 6th at 4pm highlighting Governor Shapiro's wins for kids. REGISTER HERE to find out what the governor has advanced for kids this budget season. We're hopeful he'll hit the mark...tune in to find out! 

February 7th is the one-year anniversary of the historic Commonwealth Court ruling in favor of education funding and the day after Governor Shapiro releases his state budget. Join Children First and PA Schools Work for a rally at the State Capitol, calling on lawmakers to meet their constitutional obligation and invest $5.4 billion additional dollars […]

Apply here by Monday, February 26, 2024

  Apply here by Monday, March 11, 2024  

   Report on the State of Hispanic Children in Philadelphia.  Join Donna Cooper, Executive Director and Javier Suarez, Board President, Children First, and our partners to learn how we can improve Hispanic kids outcomes.  RSVP by February 28th.  

  All children in Pennsylvania deserve access to high-quality, culturally relevant mental health care.  This webinar will feature a panel of different perspectives, including advocates, clinical mental health practitioners, insurance payers, and youth voices to discuss the challenges of the existing system and explore strategies to improve the system.  

 Budget Advocacy Day Philadelphia Press Conference This year, Children First is doubling down on our budget advocacy in Philadelphia, and we need your help! We have a new Mayor, new City Council, and new Council President, which means it’s a good opportunity for our elected officals to make big moves to show Philly that they’re […]

  On May 15, join with us and hundreds of mental health advocates will march at the State Capitol building to call on lawmakers to invest more funding into mental health resources and professionals across the Commonwealth.  The rally will include speeches from mental health leaders such as Representative Mike Schlossberg and former Deputy Secretary […]

On the evening of Thursday, May 16, 2024, Children First will shine a spotlight on Vanguard for being exceptional leaders in making a lifelong impact on the lives of children. In words, deeds, and with resources, Vanguard has stepped up for every child to get what they deserve in life – a strong start.  For […]

JOIN US IN HARRISBURG MEET WITH YOUR STATE LEGISLATORS TO TALK ABOUT HOW THE STATE CAN SUPPORT K12 PUBLIC EDUCATION   May 8: Join local advocates to demand adequate & fair school funding! May 22: Join our statewide coalition in a statewide rally & lobby day for fair school funding! June 5: Join us to […]

  The political landscape is shifting in Washington, but Harrisburg is looking pretty much the same. What does this mean for the kids you love? Join Donna Cooper, Children First Executive Director, to get some preliminary insights into what the election could mean for the children in your life. Are there upcoming threats? What opportunities […]

The Young Professionals Advisory Council of Children First is bringing back their toy drive for a fifth year in a row! Join us on Tuesday, December 10th from 5:30pm to 7:30pm at Sueno, 114 S. 12th Street in center city Philadelphia! Can’t make the event? Let us do the shopping for you! Make a donation […]

WATCH LIVE Join Children First on Tuesday, February 4th at 4pm for our live reaction to the Governor's budget address where we will provide a breakdown on how the FY26 budget will affect children.

  Join Children First for a report release and discussion on children and youth in Montgomery County, "A Decade of Stalled Progress" on Thursday, February 13th at 4pm at the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit, 2 West Lafayette Street, Norristown, PA 19401. REGISTER HERE  

  Join Children First for a report release and discussion on children and youth in Chester County, "A Decade of Stalled Progress" on Wednesday, February 19th at 4pm at the Chester County Chamber of Business and Industry, 1600 Paoli Pike, Malvern, PA 19355. REGISTER HERE  

  Join Children First for a report release and discussion on children and youth in Delaware County, "A Decade of Stalled Progress" on Friday, February 21st at 10am at the Helen Kates Furness Memorial Library, 100 N. Providence Road, Wallingford, PA 19086. REGISTER HERE  

  Join Children First for a report release and discussion on children and youth in Philadelphia, "A Decade of Stalled Progress" on Tuesday, February 25, 2025 at 8:30am at the School District of Philadelphia's Main Auditorium, 440 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19130. REGISTER HERE  

  Join Children First for a report release and discussion on children and youth in Bucks County, "A Decade of Stalled Progress" on Friday, February 28th at 10am at the Bristol Township School District Administration Building, 5 Blue Lake Road, Levittown, PA 19057. REGISTER HERE

  Pennsylvania’s youth mental health crisis demands urgent action. Expanding mental health services, supporting families, and driving policy change—these are just a few of the critical topics that will be addressed at the upcoming  Strong Minds, Bright Futures Webinar: Solutions to the Youth Mental Health Crisis. Join us for a powerful conversation featuring parents, youth, […]

  JOIN US IN HARRISBURG SPRING 2025 MEET WITH YOUR STATE LEGISLATORS TO TALK ABOUT HOW THE STATE CAN SUPPORT K12 PUBLIC EDUCATION AND EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION.  SIGN UP NOW and we will handle making appointments with your legislators. For more information email: info@childrenfirstpa.com or call 215-563-5848 and leave a message to receive a call […]

  URGENT CALL TO ACTION:  Protect vital Head Start funding and support our most vulnerable children and families. Head Start provides crucial early childhood education, nutrition, and family support services that have a lasting positive impact. We are organizing a day of action in Washington D.C. on Friday, May 16, 2025, to urge Congress to […]

  On Tuesday, May 20, 2025 Children First will be honoring Governor Josh Shapiro at our annual Celebration of the Champion for Children, and we are also proud to be celebrating our 45th Anniversary! We are choosing to honor Governor Shapiro on this special occasion because he has made education a top priority since his […]