Children First PA

Childhood is fleeting, there are no do-overs. That’s why we apply pressure to government officials to persuade them to do what is necessary to give every child the basic ingredients for a lifetime of success. Children First improves the lives and life chances of our region’s low-income, Black, and Hispanic children by advocating for the building blocks of opportunity — equitable access to high-quality early education, sound health care, effective public schools, as well as dependency and delinquency systems that heal children. We work with and organize parents, youth, and concerned citizens to advance these fundamental requirements of a more just society and for a better future. 

Specifically in Delaware County, we invite you to check out our latest report:  www.childrenfirstpa.org/2025countyreports. 

HERE'S WHY CHILDREN CHILDREN NEED A POWERFUL ADVOCATE:

150,000 children in our region are growing up in poverty. 

Black and Hispanic children are two times more likely to be living in poverty than White children.

More than 37,000 children do not have health insurance. 

Schools educating some of the wealthiest children have $16,000 more to spend per student than schools educating the poorest children.

Black and Hispanic children are six times more likely to attend an underfunded school than White students. 

Less than half of eligible young children can attend high-quality early learning programs like pre-k and Head Start.

Formerly known as Public Citizens for Children and Youth (PCCY), Children First continues the 40+ years of advocacy on behalf of children and families in Delaware County and across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.