Bruce Lesley
@brucelesley.bsky.social
Proud father of 4. Child advocate. President of First Focus on Children & First Focus Campaign for Children. Basketball fanatic. Kids Can't Wait on Substack. #InvestInKids #VoteKids
Pinned
Money Matters: The Nation’s Retreat from Kids
Federal spending on children has dropped to historic lows, but the steepest cuts are ahead.
brucelesley.substack.com
Money Matters: The Nation’s Retreat from Kids brucelesley.substack.com/p/money-matt...
First Focus on Children released our annual report yesterday, Children's Budget 2025. The findings show a 30+% decline in the share of federal funding to children from 2021 to Trump's FY 2026 budget proposal.
First Focus on Children released our annual report yesterday, Children's Budget 2025. The findings show a 30+% decline in the share of federal funding to children from 2021 to Trump's FY 2026 budget proposal.
Reposted by Bruce Lesley
[9]“DHS openly acknowledges that this rule is designed to drive families—including U.S. citizen children—off health care, food assistance, and housing programs. In no version of the U.S. that values children could such a policy ever be justified.” @brucelesley.bsky.social of @firstfocus.bsky.social
November 19, 2025 at 8:03 PM
[9]“DHS openly acknowledges that this rule is designed to drive families—including U.S. citizen children—off health care, food assistance, and housing programs. In no version of the U.S. that values children could such a policy ever be justified.” @brucelesley.bsky.social of @firstfocus.bsky.social
Organized Abandonment: How Attacks on Public Systems Are Harming Parents and Children
open.substack.com/pub/bruceles...
open.substack.com/pub/bruceles...
Organized Abandonment: How Attacks on Public Systems Are Harming Parents and Children
Thanksgiving is a holiday rooted – at least aspirationally – in family, community, gratitude, and shared commitment.
open.substack.com
November 27, 2025 at 7:05 AM
Organized Abandonment: How Attacks on Public Systems Are Harming Parents and Children
open.substack.com/pub/bruceles...
open.substack.com/pub/bruceles...
Childhood trauma to prison: How trauma fuels the vicious cycle | Public News Service app.publicnewsservice.org/story/childh...
Public News Service | News in the Public Interest
Public News Service (PNS) is a member-supported news service that advocates journalism in the public interest. PNS's network of state-based news services distribute high quality public interest news…
app.publicnewsservice.org
November 26, 2025 at 9:04 PM
Childhood trauma to prison: How trauma fuels the vicious cycle | Public News Service app.publicnewsservice.org/story/childh...
Reposted by Bruce Lesley
Oh, you know, just casually re-reading Albert Camus’ The Plague (1947) on a normal Friday morning in 2024
November 15, 2024 at 1:57 PM
Oh, you know, just casually re-reading Albert Camus’ The Plague (1947) on a normal Friday morning in 2024
Mamdani is building a universal child care team, but faces daunting financial and logistical challenges - POLITICO www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
Mamdani is building a universal child care team, but faces daunting financial and logistical challenges
The mayor-elect has tapped government veterans as he looks to implement the $6 billion initiative.
www.politico.com
November 22, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Mamdani is building a universal child care team, but faces daunting financial and logistical challenges - POLITICO www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
The CDC revives debunked ‘link’ between childhood vaccines and autism : Shots - Health News : NPR www.npr.org/sections/sho...
Under RFK Jr.,, the CDC rewrote its vaccine safety page to spread misinformation and doubt about vaccines. This will harm children.
Under RFK Jr.,, the CDC rewrote its vaccine safety page to spread misinformation and doubt about vaccines. This will harm children.
The CDC revives debunked 'link' between childhood vaccines and autism
A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention webpage that previously stated "Vaccines do not cause autism" has been changed to cast doubt on the scientific research that supports the finding.
www.npr.org
November 21, 2025 at 1:55 PM
The CDC revives debunked ‘link’ between childhood vaccines and autism : Shots - Health News : NPR www.npr.org/sections/sho...
Under RFK Jr.,, the CDC rewrote its vaccine safety page to spread misinformation and doubt about vaccines. This will harm children.
Under RFK Jr.,, the CDC rewrote its vaccine safety page to spread misinformation and doubt about vaccines. This will harm children.
Children at the Ballot Box: Why Direct Democracy May Be a Game-Changer for Kids
open.substack.com/pub/bruceles...
open.substack.com/pub/bruceles...
Children at the Ballot Box: Why Direct Democracy May Be a Game-Changer for Kids
Child advocates have often ignored or minimized the use of ballot measures and direct democracy as part of our playbook. It's past time to change that.
open.substack.com
November 19, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Children at the Ballot Box: Why Direct Democracy May Be a Game-Changer for Kids
open.substack.com/pub/bruceles...
open.substack.com/pub/bruceles...
Recent Actions by the Trump Administration Target Children with Disabilities | First Focus on Children firstfocus.org/update/recent-… by Chad Bolt and Lily Klam
Recent Actions by the Trump Administration Target Children with Disabilities
Proposed rules, reductions in force, threaten roughly 100,000 children who rely on Supplemental Security Income, plus others in need of support and
firstfocus.org
November 15, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Recent Actions by the Trump Administration Target Children with Disabilities | First Focus on Children firstfocus.org/update/recent-… by Chad Bolt and Lily Klam
Reposted by Bruce Lesley
🥗 @firstfocus.bsky.social documents reduced federal investment in our nation's children.
@campaign4kids.bsky.social @brucelesley.bsky.social
firstfocus.org/resource/chi...
@campaign4kids.bsky.social @brucelesley.bsky.social
firstfocus.org/resource/chi...
Children's Budget 2025
The United States government failed children once again in 2025. For the fourth straight year, investments in children declined, both in terms of total
firstfocus.org
November 14, 2025 at 1:13 AM
🥗 @firstfocus.bsky.social documents reduced federal investment in our nation's children.
@campaign4kids.bsky.social @brucelesley.bsky.social
firstfocus.org/resource/chi...
@campaign4kids.bsky.social @brucelesley.bsky.social
firstfocus.org/resource/chi...
It would be nice if the Administration running the federal agency that is particularly focused on children would not treat their jobs and work as a complete joke.
Can you imagine if the VA posted on Facebook like this?
Can you imagine if the VA posted on Facebook like this?
November 14, 2025 at 5:34 PM
It would be nice if the Administration running the federal agency that is particularly focused on children would not treat their jobs and work as a complete joke.
Can you imagine if the VA posted on Facebook like this?
Can you imagine if the VA posted on Facebook like this?
What the America First Global Health Strategy Means for the World’s Children leilanimatallah.substack.com/p/what-the-a...
What the America First Global Health Strategy Means for the World’s Children
World-class programs that once safeguarded vulnerable children have been dismantled, and future support is alarmingly limited and uncertain.
leilanimatallah.substack.com
November 13, 2025 at 6:38 PM
What the America First Global Health Strategy Means for the World’s Children leilanimatallah.substack.com/p/what-the-a...
Reposted by Bruce Lesley
The Trump Admin's shameful attacks on kids with disabilities are happening on every front: legislation (OBBB), regs, and RIFs. The Social Security Administration's new proposed rule to limit SSI eligibility is yet another example. 1/ firstfocus.org/update/recen...
Recent Actions by the Trump Administration Target Children with Disabilities
Proposed rules, reductions in force, threaten roughly 100,000 children who rely on Supplemental Security Income, plus others in need of support and
firstfocus.org
November 13, 2025 at 2:54 PM
The Trump Admin's shameful attacks on kids with disabilities are happening on every front: legislation (OBBB), regs, and RIFs. The Social Security Administration's new proposed rule to limit SSI eligibility is yet another example. 1/ firstfocus.org/update/recen...
How did kids' fare in last week's election? Here is my quick analysis...
Kids on the Ballot: What the 2025 Elections Said About America’s Priorities for Children
open.substack.com/pub/bruceles...
Kids on the Ballot: What the 2025 Elections Said About America’s Priorities for Children
open.substack.com/pub/bruceles...
Kids on the Ballot: What the 2025 Elections Said About America’s Priorities for Children
They can’t vote, but kids gained ground at the ballot box this year. Still, there were some disturbing losses.
open.substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 4:16 PM
How did kids' fare in last week's election? Here is my quick analysis...
Kids on the Ballot: What the 2025 Elections Said About America’s Priorities for Children
open.substack.com/pub/bruceles...
Kids on the Ballot: What the 2025 Elections Said About America’s Priorities for Children
open.substack.com/pub/bruceles...
How Trump officials have transformed the EPA to weaken enforcement - The Washington Post
www.washingtonpost.com
November 10, 2025 at 4:07 PM
How Trump officials have transformed the EPA to weaken enforcement - The Washington Post
1 in 4 AZ kids relies on SNAP. State's dismal childhood poverty record leading to a perfect storm www.kjzz.org/the-show/202...
1 in 4 AZ kids relies on SNAP. State's dismal childhood poverty record leading to a perfect storm
As the federal shutdown drags on, SNAP food benefits recipients remain in limbo. A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to release contingency funds to pay the benefits, but the president…
www.kjzz.org
November 10, 2025 at 1:55 PM
1 in 4 AZ kids relies on SNAP. State's dismal childhood poverty record leading to a perfect storm www.kjzz.org/the-show/202...
As governor, lawmakers mull special session agenda, child advocacy groups have some ideas • Nevada Current nevadacurrent.com/2025/11/07/a...
As governor, lawmakers mull special session agenda, child advocacy groups have some ideas • Nevada Current
Nevada’s child care crisis should warrant a special session rather than efforts to give public subsidies to film studies, advocacy groups say. “We don’t think this is the time where we need to be…
nevadacurrent.com
November 10, 2025 at 1:38 AM
As governor, lawmakers mull special session agenda, child advocacy groups have some ideas • Nevada Current nevadacurrent.com/2025/11/07/a...
‘This perfect storm:’ How Idaho Medicaid cuts could affect everyone’s health care access | Local | idahostatejournal.com www.idahostatejournal.com/news/local/t...
idahostatejournal.com | empowering the community
POCATELLO — Idaho State built on the momentum from last week’s road win over a nationally ranked opponent to capture its second straight victory, a 27-17 win over Cal Poly inside the ICCU Dome.
idahostatejournal.com
November 9, 2025 at 11:13 PM
‘This perfect storm:’ How Idaho Medicaid cuts could affect everyone’s health care access | Local | idahostatejournal.com www.idahostatejournal.com/news/local/t...
The Medicaid Program That Saved Money, Turned People’s Health Around — and Got Killed - POLITICO www.politico.com/news/magazin...
The Medicaid Program That Saved Money, Turned People’s Health Around — and Got Killed
The end of the Healthy Opportunities Pilot in North Carolina is a story of how MAHA might actually be realized — or not — at the state level.
www.politico.com
November 9, 2025 at 9:04 PM
The Medicaid Program That Saved Money, Turned People’s Health Around — and Got Killed - POLITICO www.politico.com/news/magazin...
Baby beaten and burned to death with hot liquid by parents - US News - News - Daily Express US www.the-express.com/news/us-news...
Newborn baby beaten and burned to death with hot liquid by laughing parents
In a heart-wrenching case from Virginia, a young couple faces prison time over abuse that led to the tragic death of their newborn daughter.
www.the-express.com
November 9, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Baby beaten and burned to death with hot liquid by parents - US News - News - Daily Express US www.the-express.com/news/us-news...
The impact of losing SNAP benefits and a Head Start school closure on this grandmother : NPR www.npr.org/2025/11/08/n...
The impact of losing SNAP benefits and a Head Start school closure on this grandmother
NPR's Scott Simon speaks with Nicole Hines of Davenport, Iowa, about how the loss of SNAP benefits and the closure of a Head Start school that her granddaughter attended are affecting her life.
www.npr.org
November 9, 2025 at 4:07 PM
The impact of losing SNAP benefits and a Head Start school closure on this grandmother : NPR www.npr.org/2025/11/08/n...
Study: Louisiana’s child poverty rate increase leads US thecurrentla.com/2025/study-l...
Study: Louisiana’s child poverty rate increase leads US
The report comes out as Louisiana — along with other states — has announced it will not provide Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits in November.
thecurrentla.com
November 9, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Study: Louisiana’s child poverty rate increase leads US thecurrentla.com/2025/study-l...
This is must watch reporting by @jacobsoboroff.bsky.social on how ICE is separating babies and toddlers from parents and treating them while in custody.
This must end now!
This must end now!
"When I picked up my granddaughter from the federal agents, she had a dirty diaper, a bruise on her face, and was developing a rash. She was exhausted and cried… My heart aches knowing this could happen to others, to my kids, or even me, despite being U.S. citizens.”
November 8, 2025 at 3:47 PM
This is must watch reporting by @jacobsoboroff.bsky.social on how ICE is separating babies and toddlers from parents and treating them while in custody.
This must end now!
This must end now!
Reposted by Bruce Lesley
Sen. Durbin isn’t taking Kristi Noem’s crap. Nor should he!
October 31, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Sen. Durbin isn’t taking Kristi Noem’s crap. Nor should he!
Reposted by Bruce Lesley
This billionaire is trolling hardworking educators—and making jokes about gutting supports for special needs kids.
October 31, 2025 at 10:00 PM
This billionaire is trolling hardworking educators—and making jokes about gutting supports for special needs kids.
The Trump Admin must release the SNAP contingency fund today so that 16 million kids do not start going hungry tomorrow.
It’s that simple.
It’s that simple.
October 31, 2025 at 10:13 PM
The Trump Admin must release the SNAP contingency fund today so that 16 million kids do not start going hungry tomorrow.
It’s that simple.
It’s that simple.