NCJ Number
68676
Date Published
1979
Length
25 pages
Annotation
THE 1979 ACTIVITIES AND 1980 PROGRAM PLANS OF THE CHILDREN'S DEFENSE FUND (CDF), A NATIONAL PUBLIC CHARITY WHICH FOCUSES ON THE INSTITUTIONAL NEGLECT AND ABUSE OF THE NATION'S CHILDREN, ARE PRESENTED.
Abstract
THE CDF SEEKS TO PLACE THE NEEDS OF THE CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES HIGHER ON THE NATION'S PUBLIC POLICY AGENDA. ONE OF THE MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR 1979 IS THE PASSAGE OF FEDERAL CHILD WELFARE REFORM LEGISLATION. THE PRESIDENT REQUESTED $164 MILLION FOR 1981 TO PROVIDE FAMILY PERMANENCE TO 500,000 CHILDREN GROWING UP WITHOUT HOMES. ANOTHER CDF BILL, WHICH HAS BEEN ENACTED, WILL AUTHORIZE THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT TO SUE ON BEHALF OF CHILDREN AND OTHERS WHO LIVE IN STATE-SUPPORTED FACILITIES AND WHOSE CONSTITIUTIONAL RIGHTS ARE BEING VIOLATED. THE CHILD HEALTH ASSURANCE PRORAM, WHICH WILL HELP EXPAND AND IMPROVE THE ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICAID'S EARLY AND PERIODIC SCREENING, DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN HAS BEEN APPROVED BY THE CONGRESS, BUT THE SENATE'S DECISION HAS BEEN DELAYED. IMPLEMENTATION OF NEW REGULATIONS HAS BEEN WON TO PROTECT THE HEALTH AND WELFARE OF MIGRANT CHILDREN, AND TO OVERCOME DISCRIMINATORY SCHOOL DISCIPLINE PROBLEMS. AN ACTIVE CAMPAIGN TO INFORM THE PRESS ABOUT CHILDREN'S NEEDS HAS YIELDED MORE THAN 800 ARTICLES ABOUT CDF AND ITS ISSUES. A LIST OF CDF ARTICLES PUBLISHED IN 1979, CDF TESTIMONY AND LITIGATION DOCKET, CDF PUBLICATIONS AND INFORMATION ON HOW TO ORDER THEM, THE CDF BOARD OF DIRECTORS, AND CDF PROFESSIONAL STAFF ARE INCLUDED.