Dear Lord be good to me. The sea is so wide and my boat is so small

The Children's Defense Fund 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 adulthood with the help of caring families and communities. Full Mission Statement »

This month, join us in learning and sharing true stories about how Medicaid, CHIP, and national health reform help Texas kids get the health care they need to grow and thrive. Read more »
New data reveals that more than 1.75 million - or one in four - children in Texas lives in poverty. Children have suffered more than any other age group during this recession and slow recovery. Learn more »
Applications are now available to nominate a deserving high school senior in Houston or Dallas for our annual CDF-TX Beat the Odds^® awards. Deadline: December 1, 2011. Read more >>
Are you surprised to learn that a child in Texas is six times as likely to be uninsured as a child in Massachusetts? See CDF's new report on key child indicators and take action.

Medicaid Helps Kids Like Destiny

Destiny Nolan Medicaid

Not every child has a guardian angel, but for beautiful eight year old Destiny, Houston-based Univision executive Debbie Donner comes very close.

In our latest newsletter, we feature an open letter written by Debbie in which she encourages fellow Texans to pick up the phone, as she has done, and urge Texas Congressman Jeb Hensarling, who sits on the Congressional super committee, to protect Medicaid before it is too late.

With the super committee weighing deep cuts to Medicaid and other vital safety nets for children, and a Thanksgiving deadline fast approaching, we need your help right now in sending a strong, clear and urgent message that Medicaid Matters for more than 2.8 million Texas children, including Destiny and so many others. Read Destiny's story and Take Action! >>

CDF-TX News

Children's Health Program Opened to Low-Income State Employees
November 7, 2011, Kaiser Health News

CDF-Texas Communications Director on "Beyond the Headlines" with Khambrel Marshall
November 6, 2011, KPRC Local 2, Houston

Children's Defense Fund Sponsoring National Observance of Children's Sabbath Celebration
October 16, 2011,

Study: Houston area children on public healthcare doubled in recession, making funding essential
October 6, 2011, younewshouston.com

Finally, Some Good News on the Uninsured
October 2, 2011, Houston Chronicle

About CDF

Learn more about CDF, our history and our Leave No Child Behind® mission.

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Erica Limón: CDF-California Beat the Odds^® Honoree

Erica overcame abuse and homelessness and will soon graduate high school, start boot camp with the Marines in June, and plans to begin college in a year or two. If Harvard's lucky, they might get her.
More profiles of CDF’s Young Adult Leaders »