For over 35 years nationally, and over a decade in Texas, CDF has worked closely with state and local child advocates as well as national and state organizations serving children to level the playing field for children through a variety of campaigns and initiatives.  Throughout, CDF has worked to educate the public on our children at risk and provide them with the necessary tools to apply pressure to the political establishment to improve the lives of children. 

Our current campaigns and programs build upon this long legacy of success by empowering communities and advocates to create the change our children urgently need.

Texas Finish Line Campaign

There are 1.2 million uninsured children in Texas. This represents the highest number of uninsured children of any state in the nation. Right now, more than half of these children are eligible for the state's Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) or Children's Medicaid. To ensure that all Texas children have seamless access to affordable and comprehensive health coverage, CDF-Texas leads the Texas Finish Line Campaign, a collaboration with the Center for Public Policy Priorities and Texans Care for Children. The Campaign represents the coordination of more than 100 partner organizations across the state.  Learn more about the Texas Finish Line Campaign and how you can get involved.

Cradle to Prison Pipeline® Campaign

The Cradle to Prison Pipeline is an urgent national crisis that leaves a Black boy born in 2001 with a one in three risk of going to prison and a Latino boy with a one in six risk. The prison pipeline is fueled by pervasive poverty, racial disparities, inadequate health and mental health care, gaps in early childhood development, disparate educational opportunities, chronic abuse and neglect, and overburdened and ineffective juvenile justice systems.  Through community summits and educational and advocacy resources, CDF is working with partners across the country to develop action plans tailored to dismantle the pipeline in their community. Learn more about CDF-Texas' efforts to dismantle the Cradle to Prison Pipeline and how you can get involved.

CDF Freedom Schools® Program

The CDF Freedom Schools program provides summer and after-school enrichment that helps children fall in love with reading, increases their self-esteem, and generates more positive attitudes toward learning. Children are taught using a model curriculum that supports children and families around five essential components: high quality academic enrichment; parent and family involvement; civic engagement and social action; intergenerational leadership development; and nutrition, health and mental health. Learn more about the CDF Freedom Schools program in Texas and how you can get involved.

CDF Beat the Odds® Scholarship Program

CDF's annual Beat the Odds program honors, celebrates and rewards extraordinary high school seniors who have overcome tremendous adversity to achieve academic excellence, demonstrate leadership in their communities, and aspire to attend college to continue their education. Since 1999, CDF-Texas has awarded more than sixty college scholarships to outstanding youths in the Houston area. Many recipients have gone on to pursue advanced degrees and leadership positions in their communities.  Learn more about the CDF Beat the Odds Scholarship program in Dallas and Houston and how you can get involved.

100% Campaign 

The 100% Campaign educates families about how to utilize and renew their children's health coverage to avoid unnecessary and costly emergency room visits.  The school-based outreach model has been successful because schools are a trusted source of information with direct access to families.  CDF's 100% Campaign has been recognized by the American Association of School Administrators, America's Promise Alliance, the Robert Wood Johnson Covering Kids & Families initiative and by Leadership Houston - which honored CDF-TX with its 2009 Leadership in Action award.  Learn more about the 100% Campaign.

National Observance of Children's Sabbath 

Every third weekend in October, CDF invites faith leaders from across the nation to join together to invoke their faith and renew a commitment to children.  Congregations of all faith traditions are asked to participate in CDF's Children's Sabbath weekend of reflection, prayer, and action for children in Houston, Austin, the Rio Grande Valley, and throughout the state and nation.  Faith-based initiatives have the power to deliver important messages about children's health and well-being.  Learn more about the National Observance of Children's Sabbath celebrations in Texas and how you can get involved.