Links
The purpose of this list is to provide useful sources of information for child advocates, members and pastors of local congregations, and those persons who wish a better understanding of the issues affecting children and families.
Aside from the first three primary advocacy sources listed, UVC does not necessarily endorse the remaining advocacy-related links. We believe, however, it is important to furnish a wide spectrum of information and opinion on child advocacy issues. This provides a wider perspective to those seeking information.
Other sources of information include:
- Data and research on poverty links.
- Information on governmental and legislative websites.
- Public policy websites.
- Links to United Methodist organizations and services.
- Links to children’s services such as early child care and after school programs, educational and child placement services.
Child Advocacy Sources
- Voices for Illinois Children:
www.voices4kids.org
Best source of IL advocacy issues. Great links to other websites. - Children’s Defense Fund:
www.childrensdefense.org
Best source of national child advocacy information for faith-based advocates. - Bishops Initiative on Children & Poverty:
www.umc.org/initiative
Provides excellent United Methodist perspective to child advocacy.
Additional Advocacy Sources
- Child Welfare League of America:
www.cwla.org
Advocacy & program information on juvenile justice, foster care, and adoption issues. - Coalition for America’s Children:
www.connectforkids.org
Information source on children, youth, and family issues. - Day Care Action Council of Illinois:
www.daycareaction.org
Sources of information on Illinois child care issues. - Handsnet:
www.handsnet.org
Source of information on children, welfare reform, and poverty.
Websites on Poverty
- Institute for Children & Poverty:
www.homesforthehomeless.com
Source of data about children in poverty and homelessness. - National Center on Poverty Law:
www.povertylaw.org
Information on poverty and public policy issues.
Government & Legislative Websites
- Capital Advocate:
www.congress.org
Information on legislative issues and a way to contact your legislators. - Census Bureau:
www.census.gov
Detailed national and state data. - Government Printing Office:
www.access.gpo.gov
Where to get govt. printed information. - Links to all Illinois State departments:
www.state.il.us
A way to find Illinois State departments. - National Center for Education Statistics:
www.nces.ed.gov
Federal organization collects & analyzes date related to U.S. education. - National Conference of State Legislators:
www.ncsl.org
Communication on state legislation in any and all state legislatures. - Non-Profit Gateway:
www.nonprofit.gov
Links to federal departments. - Thomas Legislative information:
thomas.loc.gov
U.S. Congress current legislation info. - U.S. Department of Education:
www.ed.gov
Information source on national and state education. - U.S. House of Representatives:
www.house.gov
Information on U.S. Representatives. - U.S. Senate:
www.senate.gov
Information on U.S. Senators. - U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services:
www.os.dhhs.gov
Govt. information source. Admin. for Children & Family Services. - White House:
www.whitehouse.gov
Information on Executive Branch.
United Methodist Sites
- Cokesbury: www.cokesbury.com
UM Publishing house information on books, materials, and supplies. - InfoServ:
www.infoserv.umc.org
Source of UM information. - Northern Illinois Conference:
www.umcnic.org
Annual conference of the United Methodist Church in which United Voices for Children and its agencies are located. Also has information about child-serving activities and mission opportunities involving its more than 400 local churches. - General Board of Church and Society:
www.umc-gbcs.org
Provides information on the implementation of social principles and policy statements regarding UM social justice concerns. - General Board of Global Ministries:
www.gbgm-umc.org
Information on United Methodist global ministries. - United Methodist Church:
www.umc.org
General Church website with links to other boards, agencies, etc. - United Methodist Communications:
www.umcom.org
Provides Communications Tools for the United Methodist Church. - United Methodist News Service:
www.umns.umc.org
United Methodist & other religious news. - United Methodist Reporter:
www.umportal.org
National UM Reporter in Dallas.
Public Policy Websites
- American Association of School Administrators:
www.aasa.org
Guide to school-wide educational reform. - American Public Human Services Association:
www.aphsa.org
Reviews public policies on human services. Links are gateway to services. - Annie E. Casey Foundation:
www.aecf.org
Reviews public policies on human services. Links are gateway to services. - Catalyst Chicago:
www.catalyst-chicago.org
Newsmagazine documenting efforts to improve Chicago Public Schools. - Center for Law & Social Policy:
www.clasp.org
Focus on policies affecting the poor. - Center on Budget & Policy Priorities:
www.cbpp.org
Website on government priorities. - Food Action & Research Center:
www.frac.org
Advocacy organization working to improve public policies toward eradicating hunger in the U.S. - Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention:
www.ojjdp.ncjrs.org
U.S. Department of Justice: Provides national leadership, coordination, and resources to prevent and respond to juvenile delinquency. - Parents United for Responsible Education:
www.pureparents.org
Website informs parents about Chicago based educational issues. - Speak Out: www.speakout.com
Opportunity to speak out on issues. - The Bureau for At-risk Youth:
www.at-risk.com
Resources for today's youth around important issues facing them. - The Urban Institute: www.urbaninstitute.org
A nonpartisan economic and social policy research organization. - Welfare Information Network:
www.welfareinfo.org
Information clearing house on policy analysis regarding Welfare Reform.
After-School Websites
- After School Alliance:
www.afterschoolalliance.org
After school program info. - After School Government Website:
www.afterschool.gov
Government after school website. - Child Trends:
www.childtrends.org
Website research studies on children, youth, and families. - Coalition for Community Schools:
www.communityschools.org
Website focuses on helping students learn and strengthening their families and communities. - Mentoring:
www.mentoring.org
Resource for information about mentoring initiatives. - Mott Foundation website:
www.mott.org
Features after-school program & funding information. - Tutor Mentor Connection:
www.tutormentorconnection.org
Information on after school, mentoring, and tutoring links.
Adoption, Foster Care, Placement
- Adoption Network:
www.adoption.com
Wide variety of adoption information. - National Association of Adoptable Children:
www.nacac.org
Adoption information.
Other Useful Child-Related Sites
- Children Now:
www.childrennow.org/
Website research studies on children, youth, and families. - National Child Care Information Center:
www.nccic.org
Childcare resource information to ensure access to high quality services. - National Council of Churches:
www.ncccusa.org
Source for ecumenical info. - The Future of Children:
www.futureofchildren.org
Information for shaping policies & programs to benefit children. - National Assoc. for the Education of Young Children:
www.naeyc.org
Information supporting constructive education for all young children.