Voices for America’s Children is a nonpartisan, national organization committed to speaking out for the well-being of children at the federal, state and local levels of government. Since 1984, Voices has supported child advocates nationwide who have achieved public policy victories for children in early education, health, juvenile justice, child welfare, tax and budget decisions and other areas.

Mission:

 

The mission of Voices for America's Children is to improve the lives of children in the United States by advocating for effective public policies.

Vision:

We envision every child in the United States healthy, free from poverty, educated, safe from abuse and violence, and an engaged member of a nurturing family and community.

Strategic Focus:

 

Voices for America's Children (Voices) is a nonprofit organization that coordinates a nationwide network of state and local child advocacy organizations in the United States.  It pursues its mission and vision by:   

  • Supporting member organizations advocating for children on local, state, and federal public policy issues;
  • Advocating for children on national and federal public policy issues; and
  • Leading national campaigns to improve public policies affecting children. 

Accomplishments:

Because of the advocacy of the Voices network:

  • 30, 000 children incorrectly dropped from Medicaid in Philadelphia now have access to health care;
  • All children in Westchester County, New York needing emergency medical care will now receive services from EMS staff trained in Pediatric Advanced Life Supports;
  • More caseworkers are available to investigate suspected cases of child abuse in Kentucky; and,
  • Every child in San Antonio will have healthier teeth because fluoride has been added to that city’s water supply.
  • This is only a small sampling of the impact of Voices work to ensure policies and programs that are in the best interest of children.

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Across the board, NACA (Voices) and its…member organizations have developed a “track” record and the individuals within the organizations are well respected…Just as the members consistently reported using the NACA (Voices) materials because of the trust they have in NACA (Voices), so did state-level administrators, legislators and coalition partners report with great regularity that they used members’ materials for the same reasons.

- RMC Research Corporation (independent outcome
evaluation of Voices’ Devolution Project)

Given the importance and the amount of state-level policy activity, to have an association that can support and enhance quality exchanges and learning among child advocates is vital. Voices is filling that role.

- Jennifer Baratz Gross, then with the Annie E. Casey Foundation

We couldn’t do all we do without Voices. Voices is simply invaluable. Having a board member attend last year’s Forum helped our board to see the role and value of Voices and that there is a community of people working on these issues.

- Cora Greenberg, Executive Director, Westchester Children’s
Association, a Voices member organization

Voices has enormous value. I’m a real cheerleader for what Voices is doing. The staff is outstanding and they are extremely helpful in providing the technical support that we need.

- Susan Randall, Executive Director South Dakota Coalition
for Children, a Voices member organization

Advocacy depends on relationships and as a newbie in both statewide advocacy and the area of health; I had none (a severe disability to a good advocate). Thank goodness, one week after I came to ACY, I was able to go to my first Voices’ conference. I cannot tell you how valuable it was for me to (a) have immediate access to THE most up to date content area information in health and (b) to attend a conference full of health advocates in other states. With the catalyst of the conference, the important personal contacts I made that weekend, and the support, guidance and technical assistance offered by Voices, I feel better armed in both areas.

- Carol Fanconi, Health Policy Director, Advocates
for Children and Youth, a Voices member organization

Citizen’s Committee for Children of New York has been monitoring New York City’s efforts to reform its child protective system, and your Issue Brief (A Child Advocate’s Guide to State Child Protective Services Reform) will provide us with a terrific yardstick for measuring our City’s achievements against those across the country and against Voices’ implementation checklist.

- Gail Nayowith, Executive Director and Gabrielle Kreisler, Esq.,
Citizens' Committee for Children of New York,
a Voices member organization