Budget Advocacy

We must move toward racial equity in outcomes for children, youth, and families.

Our approach to advocacy emphasizes anti-racism coupled with policy solutions driven by community insights. We are leading the charge to improve access to early childhood education, promote home visiting as an integral strategy to support families with young children, promote universal out-of-school-time access, and put all young people on productive pathways to adulthood.

DC Action’s Budget Advocacy

Youth Homelessness Continuum DHS Proposed Cuts Mayor’s FY27 Proposed Budget

(Mayor’s FY27 Proposed Budget)
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DC Action’s FY26 Budget Requests of Council

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DC Action’s FY26 Budget Letter to Mayor Bowser

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FY25 Budget Request Letter to Mayor Bowser

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Related Publications

We're constantly publishing new research and data highlighting important investments for the future of DC's children, youth, and families. Check out this related publications feed to see what the data and research are saying.

  • Official Recap of FY27 Second Budget Vote

    June 23, 2026
    Budget and Legislative Advocacy

    Earlier today, the DC Council passed the District’s Fiscal Year 2027 Local Budget Act, a significantly improved budget for children, youth, and families compared to what was originally proposed by Mayor Bowser.

    View Official Recap of FY27 Second Budget Vote
    Blog Post

  • Official First Vote Statement on the FY 2027 Budget

    June 9, 2026
    Budget and Legislative Advocacy

    DC Action applauds Chairman Phil Mendelson and the DC Council for restoring $99 million for child care and early childhood development programs, protecting funding for out-of-school time, as well as restoring $1.5 million in funding for the District’s youth homelessness system.

    View Official First Vote Statement on the FY 2027 Budget
    Blog Post

  • Testimony of Mary Katherine West before the Committee of the Whole

    May 13, 2026
    Budget and Legislative Advocacy Education Youth Economic Justice

    May 13, 2026 Good morning, Chairman Mendelson, members of the Committee, and staff. Thank you for the opportunity to testify today at the Committee of the Whole Hearing on the Proposed Fiscal Year ...

    View Testimony of Mary Katherine West before the Committee of the Whole
    Testimony

DC Kids Count

Our DC Kids Count initiative provides the best available District-level and ward-level data and key indicators of child and youth well-being to inspire innovative and equitable solutions.

View DC Kids Count
A young boy holding on to his hat that says PD

Related News

All Posts

Interested in learning more about how we're advocating for investments in DC's children, youth, and families? Check out our related news feed for the latest updates.

  • DC students have their say about problems in local schools featured image

    DC students have their say about problems in local schools

    Press Coverage
    View Link
  • DC Teens Advocate for Social Change to City Leaders featured image

    DC Teens Advocate for Social Change to City Leaders

    Press Coverage
    View Link
  • The DC Council Forced to Reduce Pay for Early Educators; Attempts to Avert Child Care Crisis featured image

    The DC Council Forced to Reduce Pay for Early Educators; Attempts to Ave...

    Press Release
    Read More

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