Action Needed - Call your Assemblymember to End Juvenile Life Without the Possibility of Parole

Currently youth in California can and are sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.  This practice is in violation of international human rights law, and carried out by no other country in the world.  Moreover, this practice of sentencing youth to die in prison ignores everything we have learned about youth maturation and brain development, including youth's unique capacity to change. The Fair Sentencing for Youth Act, Senate Bill 9 (SB 9), would make a small yet crucial change to this policy by allowing youth who have been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole - over 300 youth in California - an opportunity for resentencing. Passing SB 9 in California would send an important message to the rest of the country that throwing away somebody's life for an act they committed during their youth is bad practice - morally wrong and financially irresponsible. Learn more about SB 9..

We ask you, supporters of children’s rights, to please make a call today to your California State Assemblymember, urging them to vote ‘YES’ on Senate Bill 9, a policy that is better for California’s children.  Click here to take action.  

Read CDF's Op-ed on Senate Bill 9, "Second Chance at Life" 

Make Children Top Priority in the California Budget

As the state legislature debates the budget, we must ensure that the needs of children will not be sacrificed. Learn more about how Governor Brown's budget proposal would affect California children. Contact your state legislators and tell them to protect children’s safety nets and to invest in their health, education and well being.

Include a personal story or one relevant to your community to give your message more of an impact.

Ensuring Quality Education for our Nation's Most Vulnerable Children

For far too long, our nation’s most vulnerable children have been denied the chance for a quality education. Inequities in educational funding, resources and opportunities have placed poor and minority children in low-performing schools with inadequate facilities and ineffective teachers. We must demand that our leaders commit to ensuring quality education for all children.

As reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) nears, tell your Members of Congress to support the educational priorities crucial to our nation’s most vulnerable children.