Between DOGE cuts to child friendly programs and policies and the big beautiful bill, the cuts and service reductions described below will impact millions of children and families nationwide. In the foster care system alone, over 343,000 children are currently in care across the United States, with the largest numbers in states like California (43,095), Florida (20,177), and Illinois (19,387). When factoring in children served by Medicaid/CHIP (36.8 million), after-school and summer programs (over 10 million), and the many thousands more receiving mental health, family support, and violence prevention services, the total number of children and families affected by these cuts easily reaches into the tens of millions.
The projected serious impact on the communities where these children and families live includes:
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Increased child poverty, hunger, and homelessness as safety net programs are reduced or eliminated.
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Greater numbers of children remaining in unsafe homes, or experiencing longer stays in foster care and group settings, due to fewer placements and support services.
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More untreated mental and physical health issues as children lose access to Medicaid, CHIP, and community-based care.
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Higher rates of school violence, trauma, and learning loss as prevention and after-school programs are cut.
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Greater family instability, with more children entering foster care because families cannot access the support they need to stay together.
On a societal and national level, these cuts deepen existing inequities, increase long-term public costs (in health care, corrections, and social services), and undermine the well-being and future prospects of an entire generation. The loss of foundational supports for children and families not only harms those directly affected, but also weakens the social fabric and economic stability of communities and the nation as a whole.
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Part 2 explores program cuts state by state
KARA (KIDS AT RISK ACTION/INVISIBLE CHILDREN
“What we do to our children, they will do to our society”
(Pliny the Elder, 2000 years ago)
This post submitted by former CASA Guardian ad Litem Mike Tikkanen
#childabuse,#earlychildhood,#education,#childwellbeing,#welfare,#economics,#publicpolicy,#bigbeautifulbill,#doge,ROI,#statistics,#kara,#kidsatrisk,Schools,#mentalhealth,#publicinvestment
