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CDF-MN Blog

Celebrating Expanded Health Care Access For Children

April 10, 2012,
The Affordable Care Act turned two in March, a passage worth celebrating for the thousands of Americans who have received the gift of better health care coverage.

Our Work Makes a Difference - Beat the Odds 20th Year

March 13, 2012,
"Our Work Makes a Difference–Beat the Odds 20th Year" by Sybil Axner, Associate Director. Every once in a while, an event occurs that reclarifies for me the importance of our work here at Children’s Defense Fund–Minnesota on behalf of children and the extraordinary impact Beat the Odds has on those honored. Last week, I had one of those experiences.

Food Support Blog 3 - My Personal Story

January 12, 2012,
How Food Programs Helped Me Thrive. This is the final in a series of three blogs on Food Support. Food Support is Minnesota’s version of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), but is known on the streets as “food stamps.” The first blog featured the history of Food Support and its economic boost to communities and the second analyzed recent and proposed Food Support legislation.

#2 Food Support-Benefits Families and Communities

November 18, 2011,
Blog Update: Just before Thanksgiving the supercommittee failed to meet its deadline for a comprehensive budget reduction plan. Now $1.2 trillion in automatic across-the-board budget cuts are slated to go into effect on January 1, 2013. For now, it benefits families and communities that Federal Nutrition Programs didn't get cut.

Food Support-Benefits Families and Communities

October 12, 2011,
This is the first in a series of three blogs on Food Support. We should all support increased enrollment in Food Support. News stories, Facebook posts and Senate hearings have blasted unwarranted attacks on Food Support in recent months. These attacks exacerbate an existing stigma of people enrolled in the program, but even more harmful they...

MN Worst-Foster Care

August 9, 2011,
Recently released statistics show Minnesota still leads the country—on an unfortunate statistic. We continue to have some of worst foster care disprorportionality rates for Native American and African American children in the country.

What’s at stake for children and families on the debt ceiling debate?

July 22, 2011,
The clock is ticking for President Obama and Congress to strike a deal on the federal budget and/or raise the debt ceiling. But what would the impact be to children and families around the country if we do not raise the debt ceiling? To be frank, the effect would be disastrous.

This Land Was Made For You and Me

July 1, 2011,
I am looking forward to celebrating my son’s first 4th of July. We will spend time with family, play in the water, watch a boat parade, ooh and aah at colorful fireworks, and sing songs celebrating our great country! Is this land made for you and me? Today marks the first day of our state shutdown. Statewide, our neighbors are feeling many emotions – concern, anxiety, fear, anger, and dismay.

Why are there still so many inequities for children of color in our educational system?

January 14, 2011,
A recent report issued by Education Week, graded states’ education systems throughout the country. The report gave Minnesota an overall grade of C, placing it 36th among the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Most shockingly, Minnesota received a D+ on “efforts to improve teaching,” ranking us 39th in that category.

Screening for Maternal Depression Helps Moms and Babies

November 1, 2010,
The American Academic Pediatrics' recommended that new mothers be routinely screened for depression by their infant's pediatrician. The potentially harmful effects of maternal depression on mothers and babies can be averted with these early screenings.

Plant the Seeds, Help Children Bloom

February 25, 2010,
By Renee Anderson, CDF Minnesota intern, Much like tending a garden or supporting a young tree, children need early investments to help ensure they bloom to their fullest potential. Join us at the Minnesota Capitol Rotunda for the ninth annual “Voices for Children” rally on Monday, March 1 at 10 am to urge our legislators and Governor to make greater investments in early childhood care and

The Importance of Second Chances

February 18, 2010,
by Norma Bourland, I will be attending Second Chance Day on the Hill this Monday because I believe in second chances.

Don't Harm Children in Minnesota Budget

February 15, 2010,
Having spent a good deal of my career as a staffer at the Capitol, I have a pretty good idea of the difficult choices frequently forced on legislators.

The Ladder Out of Poverty Task Force Bill

February 11, 2010,
By Ryan Johnson, Outreach Specialist Child poverty is on the rise in Minnesota and around the country. However, with wise investments, we can ensure good outcomes for Minnesota's children.

Another Minnesota Legislative Session Has Begun!

February 5, 2010,
By Norma Bourland Let's rally our voices for Minnesota's children!

Why is No One Talking About Children in the Health Care Debate?

December 14, 2009,
Every morning, newspaper and coffee in hand, I read my newspaper and search for just one article or commentary that addresses how children will wind up after health care reform and every morning I find none. Later, as I’m cooking dinner and watching the evening news, I still find there is no coverage about children in this health care debate. Why is this?

Don't Forget Children in the Health Care Reform Debate

December 2, 2009,
by Sybil Axner, The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) covers about 7 million children across the nation and that number will increase to about 14 million by 2013. CHIP is comprehensive, affordable coverage for low-income families, and affordable for state governments. So why would Congress end a program that efficiently provides quality health care coverage to 7 million children?

Minnesota’s Slippery Slope: State Drops to 6th Place in National Health Ranking

November 20, 2009,
Minnesota ranks poorly in the percent of pregnant women receiving prenatal care (No. 28 with 70.2 percent) and the percent of children receiving immunizations (No. 26 with 77.4 percent). Moreover the percent of children living in poverty has increased to 15.6 percent, an all time high for the decade.

Work Support Programs

October 13, 2009,
Research shows that even small increases in a family’s income—as little as $372 month over three years—can have positive impacts on a child’s cognitive, social, and behavioral development. Health care coverage, food support, school meals, earned income tax credits, energy assistance and other public programs were designed to help low-income families meet basic needs...

Number of Children in Poverty Rises 22%

October 5, 2009,
The poverty numbers do not capture the full impact of the recession; another 44,000-56,000 children could enter the ranks of poverty before the economy recovers. This year’s KIDS COUNT Data Book, “The Building Blocks for Successful Children,” has found that 140,000 Minnesota children lived in poverty in 2008...

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