Advance the Dream for Children!

Today, 50 years after the March on Washington, we are given the opportunity to reflect on the progress we have made as a society. Since 1963, we have made strides towards what is in the best interest of our children in the following ways:

· (1973) Marian Wright Edelman founds the Children's Defense Fund, a leading national organization that lobbies for children's rights and welfare.

· (1974) The Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act is passed, creating the National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect.

· (1975) National Network for Youth- Founded as the only national membership organization focused solely on the needs of homeless, runaway and disconnected youth.

· (Late 1970s) The rise of the feminist movement launches "previously hidden and taboo issues," including child sex abuse and incest, onto the national stage.

· (1981) Seven years after its establishment by Congress, the National Center for Child Abuse and Neglect publishes its first study on the incidence of child abuse and neglect, including sexual abuse.

· (1982) The Supreme Court considers the issue of child pornography for the first time in Ferber v. New York.

· (1987) The American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children is founded.

· (1990) The Supreme Court allows victims of child sex abuse to testify in court through one-way closed circuit video. This decision makes it easier for childhood victims to testify while avoiding the personal trauma of having to directly face their abusers.

· (1993) Congress passes the National Child Protection Act.

· (1997) Congress passes the Adoption and Safe Families Act, which for the first time requires criminal background checks of any prospective foster or adoptive parent who is receiving federal assistance.

· (1999) The Children's Online Privacy Protection Act details what a website operator must include in a privacy policy, when and how to seek verifiable consent from a parent or guardian, and what responsibilities an operator has to protect children's privacy and safety online including restrictions on marketing to those under 13.

· (2005) The National Sex Offender Public Registry launches.

· (2008) Stop Child Abuse in Residential Programs for Teens Act of 2008- The act would require certain standards and enforcement provisions to prevent child abuse and neglect in residential programs, and for other purposes.

How will you continue to “advance the dream” for our children?