First Focus Campaign for Children @campaign4kids.bsky.social · 21/09/2026bsky.appBruce Lesley (@brucelesley.bsky.social)For the Children, Why Washington State Voters Should Vote NO on Initiative 001… 011
First Focus Campaign for Children @campaign4kids.bsky.social · 06/09/2026bsky.appMary Kelly Persyn (@marykellypersyn.bsky.social)Read First Focus on Children's press release at the link below. It links to our brief at the end. #KidsFirst #ProtectChildren #AllMeansAll @brucelesley.bsky.social… 000
First Focus Campaign for Children @campaign4kids.bsky.social · 28/08/2026bsky.appBruce Lesley (@brucelesley.bsky.social)When ‘Parental Rights’ Means Letting a Child Die https://brucelesley.substack.com/p/when-parental-rights-means-letting?r=f8l9&utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web 000
First Focus Campaign for Children @campaign4kids.bsky.social · 19/08/2026bsky.appChildren Thrive Action Network (@letkidsthrive.bsky.social)Thank you to @brucelesley.bsky.social at @firstfocus.bsky.social for this great commentary on the Trump admin's latest attack on babies/unborn children. "Apply the One Question — “is it good for the… 000
First Focus Campaign for Children @campaign4kids.bsky.social · 19/08/2026bsky.appBruce Lesley (@brucelesley.bsky.social)Parental Rights Bills Forgot Children Have Rights, Too https://brucelesley.substack.com/p/parental-rights-bills-forgot-children?r=f8l9&utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web A useful… 000
First Focus Campaign for Children @campaign4kids.bsky.social · 29/07/2026MediKids: Sen. Kim’s Vision to Cover All Kids firstfocusonchildren.substack.com/cp/208875261 This legislation by @kim.senate.gov puts children back on the path toward ensuring that all children have access to coverage! #CoverAllKidsfirstfocusonchildren.substack.comMediKids: Sen. Kim’s Vision to Cover All KidsThe American people do not believe that children should be sick, in pain, or without preventive care like vaccinations and annual check-ups based on the wealth of a child’s parents, their zip code,… 010
First Focus Campaign for Children @campaign4kids.bsky.social · 22/07/2026Thousands of Private Schools Take Public Money, Operate With Little Scrutiny — ProPublica www.propublica.org/article/priv...propublica.orgBarns, Go-Karts and Strip Malls: The Wild West of Private Schools That Collect Taxpayer DollarsAs private schools proliferate, states are choosing a hands-off approach to regulating them. The backgrounds of school founders — sometimes with criminal histories — often don’t matter 020
First Focus Campaign for Children @campaign4kids.bsky.social · 22/07/2026bsky.appSenator Andy Kim (@kim.senate.gov)Today, I’m introducing MediKids – guaranteed healthcare for every child no matter where they live or how much their parents make. The concept is simple: Every kid deserves to be happy and healthy.… 021
First Focus Campaign for Children @campaign4kids.bsky.social · 08/07/2026Congressional Republicans’ Big Beautiful Bill Threatens Access to Free School Meals - Center for American Progress www.americanprogress.org/article/cong...americanprogress.orgCongressional Republicans’ Big Beautiful Bill Threatens Access to Free School MealsStudents across the country could lose access to free school meals, forcing the typical family with two children to spend $1,900 to $2,200 more per year for school meals. 010
First Focus Campaign for Children @campaign4kids.bsky.social · 03/06/2026Immigrant moms with American babies anxiously await birthright citizenship ruling - ABC News abcnews.com/Politics/imm... 031
First Focus Campaign for Children @campaign4kids.bsky.social · 23/05/2026bsky.appR.L. Stollar (@rlstollar.bsky.social)"The framing of homeschooling as entirely beyond public accountability is harmful to children." Grateful for @brucelesley.bsky.social's discussion of homeschooling in this piece.… 010
First Focus Campaign for Children @campaign4kids.bsky.social · 23/05/2026bsky.appBruce Lesley (@brucelesley.bsky.social)Children Are Not Property: The Case for Children’s Fundamental Rights… 010
First Focus Campaign for Children @campaign4kids.bsky.social · 21/05/2026Philadelphia Voters Pass Ballot Measure Making Office of Youth Ombudsperson Permanent | Juvenile Law Center jlc.org/news/philade... 030
First Focus Campaign for Children @campaign4kids.bsky.social · 14/05/2026Letter of Support: Supporting Newborn Parents Act of 2026 - Campaign For Children campaignforchildren.org/resource/let...campaignforchildren.orgLetter of Support: Supporting Newborn Parents Act of 2026First Focus Campaign For Children delivered a letter of support today to the sponsors of the Supporting Newborn Parents Act of 2026. "Welcoming a newborn 041
First Focus Campaign for Children @campaign4kids.bsky.social · 03/05/2026Parental bill of rights legislation voted down in the Missouri House • Missouri Independent www.columbiamissourian.com/news/state_n... Good news! Missouri's Parental Rights Bills: Treating Children as Property open.substack.com/pub/bruceles...columbiamissourian.comHouse strikes down parental rights billThe bill, which had recieved initial approval, failed to gain the required amount of votes to head to the Senate. 030
First Focus Campaign for Children @campaign4kids.bsky.social · 29/04/2026bsky.appAdam Gamoran (@agamoran.bsky.social)One of seven reasons for optimism: “The evidence base for investing in children has never been stronger.” [contains quote post or other embedded content] 022
First Focus Campaign for Children @campaign4kids.bsky.social · 04/04/2026bsky.appMary Kelly Persyn (@marykellypersyn.bsky.social)BruceLesley.bsky.social and I on Chiles v. Salazar. TLDR: the SCOTUS majority got this very, very wrong. But Colorado can still win at trial. Don't sleep on that. [contains quote post or other… 011
First Focus Campaign for Children @campaign4kids.bsky.social · 31/03/2026bsky.appChad Bolt (@chadderr.bsky.social)Congressional Republicans appear ready to put SNAP benefits even MORE at risk for kids and their families for the next 10 years, in order to pay for ONE HOUR of war in Iran. I wish I were making this… 000
First Focus Campaign for Children @campaign4kids.bsky.social · 22/03/2026How a High School Librarian in Abilene Fought Back Against Moms for Liberty - Texas Observer www.texasobserver.org/abilene-isd-...texasobserver.orgHow a High School Librarian in Abilene Fought Back Against Moms for LibertyI entered this profession just as the storm clouds of the current book-banning push were starting to gather; now I’m in the middle of it. 021
First Focus Campaign for Children @campaign4kids.bsky.social · 19/03/2026The Real Scandal is Failing to Protect and Support the Nation's Children | First Focus on Children firstfocus.org/update/the-r...firstfocus.orgThe Real Scandal is Failing to Protect and Support the Nation's ChildrenThe state of our nation’s children is dire: homelessness is rising rapidly among infants and toddlers, child poverty has nearly tripled in recent years, 000
First Focus Campaign for Children @campaign4kids.bsky.social · 19/03/2026bsky.appPeter Greene (@palan57.bsky.social)Punishing Children: Why the Attack on Plyler v. Doe Is an Attack on America’s Core Values… 000
First Focus Campaign for Children @campaign4kids.bsky.social · 18/03/2026A $50 million push hopes to make child care a top issue in the midterm elections apnews.com/article/dayc...northwestgeorgianews.comThe Rome News-TribuneRome News-Tribune a daily newspaper in Rome, Georgia which covers news in Rome and surrounding communities. 023
First Focus Campaign for Children @campaign4kids.bsky.social · 13/03/2026bsky.appWendy Cervantes (@wendydcervantes.bsky.social)Another critical piece by @brucelesley.bsky.social on why #birthrightcitizenship is so critical for all our babies!… 000
First Focus Campaign for Children @campaign4kids.bsky.social · 13/03/2026bsky.appZahava Stadler (@zahavastadler.bsky.social)The children are the future, but we are not forward-thinking. [contains quote post or other embedded content] 000
First Focus Campaign for Children @campaign4kids.bsky.social · 05/03/2026Colorado bill wants nondiscrimination in state’s use of Trump’s education tax-credit - Chalkbeat www.chalkbeat.org/colorado/202...chalkbeat.orgColorado lawmakers want nondiscrimination in state’s participation of Trump-backed education tax-creditSome Democratic lawmakers said the state should ensure nondiscrimination and equal student access to opportunities created by the program. 000
First Focus Campaign for Children @campaign4kids.bsky.social · 05/03/2026As ICE Moved In, Minnesotans Set Up a Shadow Medical System. It’s a Lesson for Other Cities. - KFF Health News kffhealthnews.org/news/article...kffhealthnews.orgAs ICE Moved In, Minnesotans Set Up a Shadow Medical System. It’s a Lesson for Other Cities. - KFF Health NewsPresident Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown in Minneapolis forced families into hiding and catalyzed informal medical networks to deliver critical health care services. 010
First Focus Campaign for Children @campaign4kids.bsky.social · 01/03/2026Terrible Toxics: How the EPA Rollbacks Are Betraying Child Health brucelesley.substack.com/p/terrible-t...brucelesley.substack.comTerrible Toxics: How the EPA Rollbacks Are Betraying Child HealthA new report by leading scientists who worked at the EPA document how the Administration's recent rollbacks of health safeguards are exposing children to mercury, lead, pesticides, and PFAS. 011
First Focus Campaign for Children @campaign4kids.bsky.social · 23/02/2026Colorado tax credits cut child poverty by more than a third - Denver Postdenverpost.comColorado’s family-oriented tax credits gave ‘light and hope’ to one mom — but costs make their future uncertainA study led by researchers at Washington University and Appalachian State University found that the three tax credits helping families lifted more than 52,000 Colorado children out of poverty last … 032
First Focus Campaign for Children @campaign4kids.bsky.social · 16/02/2026The ‘SAVE America Act’ Threatens Children’s Representation open.substack.com/pub/bruceles...open.substack.comThe ‘SAVE America Act’ Threatens Children’s RepresentationFor most of American history, democracy was not designed to include everyone. 110
First Focus Campaign for Children @campaign4kids.bsky.social · 15/02/2026Be Careful What You Ask For: The Parental Rights Trap and the Cost to Children brucelesley.substack.com/p/be-careful...brucelesley.substack.comBe Careful What You Ask For: The Parental Rights Trap and the Cost to ChildrenProfessor Nila Bala Explains How Expansive Parental Sovereignty Becomes Liability, Isolation, and Organized Abandonment — and Why Children Pay the Price 000
First Focus Campaign for Children @campaign4kids.bsky.social · 06/02/2026The feds child care cuts will hurt Minnesota kids • Minnesota Reformer minnesotareformer.com/2026/02/06/t...minnesotareformer.comThe feds child care cuts will hurt Minnesota kids • Minnesota ReformerIn Minnesota, child care costs $23,000 annually for infants and nearly $18,000 for preschoolers, making it the third most expensive state for child care. 000
First Focus Campaign for Children @campaign4kids.bsky.social · 04/02/2026What the Crackdown Has Done to Minneapolis Children - NY Times www.nytimes.com/2026/02/04/u...nytimes.comWhat the Crackdown Has Done to Minneapolis Children“It’s like living in fear all the time,” a teenager said about the federal raids that have shattered families. 010
First Focus Campaign for Children @campaign4kids.bsky.social · 04/02/2026Congress Should Not Re-Impose Child Poverty on DC’s Babies and Children brucelesley.substack.com/p/congress-s...brucelesley.substack.comCongress Should Not Re-Impose Child Poverty on DC’s Babies and ChildrenOverturning DC’s budget would undo a proven Child Tax Credit, blow a hole in local revenues, and punish the children who need help most. 011
First Focus Campaign for Children @campaign4kids.bsky.social · 03/02/2026‘These kids are invisible’: Child abuse deaths spur clash over homeschool regulation • Stateline stateline.org/2026/01/29/t...stateline.org‘These kids are invisible’: Child abuse deaths spur clash over homeschool regulation • StatelineRecent high-profile child abuse deaths in several states have led to renewed calls from state lawmakers for stronger homeschooling regulations. 000
First Focus Campaign for Children @campaign4kids.bsky.social · 18/01/2026Trump Administration Destroys the Systems that Support and Protect America’s Children janresseger.wordpress.com/2026/01/15/t... by Jan Ressegerjanresseger.wordpress.comTrump Administration Destroys the Systems that Support and Protect America’s ChildrenIn an important column, the President of First Focus on Children, Bruce Lesley names what ought to be our nation’s social policy agenda, if justice and equity are the goals we seek: “de… 000
First Focus Campaign for Children @campaign4kids.bsky.social · 14/01/2026Urging our followers to also follow @kidscantwaitusa.bsky.social as the newest member of the @firstfocus.bsky.social network. #PleaseFollow 042
First Focus Campaign for Children @campaign4kids.bsky.social · 06/01/2026The Misguided Push to Abolish the Department of Education firstfocusonchildren.substack.com/p/the-misgui...firstfocusonchildren.substack.comThe Misguided Push to Abolish the Department of EducationThe Trump Administration has taken another significant step toward dismantling the Department of Education by proposing a plan to use six “interagency agreements” that would disperse many of the… 000
First Focus Campaign for Children @campaign4kids.bsky.social · 04/01/2026Rep. Sara Jacobs, Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Bill Cassidy Lead Bicameral Bill to Help Families Claim the Child Tax Credit After a Natural Disaster sarajacobs.house.gov/news/press-r... Current law actually slashes the Child Tax Credit for children and families who are victims of a natural disaster.sarajacobs.house.govRep. Sara Jacobs, Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Bill Cassidy Lead Bicameral Bill to Help Families Claim the Child Tax Credit After a Natural Disaster | U.S. Congresswoman Sara Jacobs Of California's 51st DistrictThe Official U.S. Congressional website of Congresswoman Sara Jacobs 000
First Focus Campaign for Children @campaign4kids.bsky.social · 21/12/2025Choosing Harm Over Help: How U.S. Policymakers Are Turning Against Children brucelesley.substack.com/p/choosing-h...brucelesley.substack.comChoosing Harm Over Help: How U.S. Policymakers Are Turning Against ChildrenWhen children need investment, care, and protection, they’re being met instead with abandonment, cruelty, and systemic neglect. 010
First Focus Campaign for Children @campaign4kids.bsky.social · 11/12/2025Letter: Opposing Health Care Freedom for Patients Act and Urging Permanent Protection for Children’s Health Coverage - Campaign For Children campaignforchildren.org/resource/let... The Cassidy bill literally provides nothing for kids.campaignforchildren.orgLetter: Opposing Health Care Freedom for Patients Act and Urging Permanent Protection for Children’s Health CoverageFirst Focus Campaign for Children sent a letter to all members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives today urging lawmakers to oppose the Health 010
First Focus Campaign for Children @campaign4kids.bsky.social · 09/12/2025Why Kennedy’s Message on Parental Rights, HIPAA, and Kids’ Medical Records Misses the Point open.substack.com/pub/bruceles...open.substack.comWhy Kennedy’s Message on Parental Rights, HIPAA, and Kids’ Medical Records Misses the PointParents have rights under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), but so do kids. 010
First Focus Campaign for Children @campaign4kids.bsky.social · 03/12/2025Grateful to the members of Congress who reached across the aisle to introduce the Global Child Thrive Reauthorization Act, which will protect children in some of the world's poorest countries. bit.ly/48vHbwN 000
First Focus Campaign for Children @campaign4kids.bsky.social · 02/12/2025Please consider donating! #GivingTuesdaybsky.appBruce Lesley (@brucelesley.bsky.social)Across our nation, children are being left behind in the decisions that shape their futures. At @firstfocus.bsky.social, we’re working to change that by calling for policy changes that put kids… 021
First Focus Campaign for Children @campaign4kids.bsky.social · 28/11/2025bsky.appBruce Lesley (@brucelesley.bsky.social)Organized Abandonment: How Attacks on Public Systems Are Harming Parents and Children… 020
First Focus Campaign for Children @campaign4kids.bsky.social · 19/11/2025Children at the Ballot Box: Why Direct Democracy May Be a Game-Changer for Kids brucelesley.substack.com/p/children-a... #VoteKids #InvestInKidsbrucelesley.substack.comChildren at the Ballot Box: Why Direct Democracy May Be a Game-Changer for KidsChild advocates have often ignored or minimized the use of ballot measures and direct democracy as part of our playbook. It's past time to change that. 010
First Focus Campaign for Children @campaign4kids.bsky.social · 15/11/2025Recent Actions by the Trump Administration Target Children with Disabilities firstfocus.org/update/recent-… by Chad Bolt and Lily Klamfirstfocus.orgRecent Actions by the Trump Administration Target Children with DisabilitiesProposed rules, reductions in force, threaten roughly 100,000 children who rely on Supplemental Security Income, plus others in need of support and 020
First Focus Campaign for Children @campaign4kids.bsky.social · 09/11/2025As governor, lawmakers mull special session agenda, child advocacy groups have some ideas • Nevada Current nevadacurrent.com/2025/11/07/a...nevadacurrent.comAs governor, lawmakers mull special session agenda, child advocacy groups have some ideas • Nevada CurrentNevada’s child care crisis should warrant a special session rather than efforts to give public subsidies to film studies, advocacy groups say. “We don’t think this is the time where we need to be… 000