Who speaks for kids when lawmakers, the government, and elected officials are making decisions about their education, health and safety?
You do! Children need our collective attention and voice.
You’ve found Speaking of Kids…, a podcast series from First Focus on Children that examines how laws and public systems impact kids — not just in theory, but in real life. We’re here sorting out who’s actually for kids and who’s just kidding.
Join our host, Messellech “Selley” Abebe, as she gathers voices from every corner of the kid-policy world: congresspeople, public health leaders, political organizers, parents, and the dogged advocates doing the hard work of imagining something better.
Selley explores the ‘kid angle’ in policy and politics. What’s working? What’s not? And how can we take action to create a better future for the next generation?
Listen and discover the hidden power that each of us has as an ambassador for children. We believe that kids matter. Their lives are worth protecting, their joy is worth preserving, and their futures are absolutely worth fighting for.
All content for Speaking of Kids... is the property of First Focus on Children and is served directly from their servers
with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.
Who speaks for kids when lawmakers, the government, and elected officials are making decisions about their education, health and safety?
You do! Children need our collective attention and voice.
You’ve found Speaking of Kids…, a podcast series from First Focus on Children that examines how laws and public systems impact kids — not just in theory, but in real life. We’re here sorting out who’s actually for kids and who’s just kidding.
Join our host, Messellech “Selley” Abebe, as she gathers voices from every corner of the kid-policy world: congresspeople, public health leaders, political organizers, parents, and the dogged advocates doing the hard work of imagining something better.
Selley explores the ‘kid angle’ in policy and politics. What’s working? What’s not? And how can we take action to create a better future for the next generation?
Listen and discover the hidden power that each of us has as an ambassador for children. We believe that kids matter. Their lives are worth protecting, their joy is worth preserving, and their futures are absolutely worth fighting for.
Maury Mendenhall Confronts the Collapse of Global Aid for Kids!
Speaking of Kids...
35 minutes
3 weeks ago
Maury Mendenhall Confronts the Collapse of Global Aid for Kids!
In this episode, Messellech “Selley” Abebe sits down with Maury Mendenhall to discuss what happened when USAID - the United States Agency for International Development - was suddenly dismantled, how that decision rippled into the daily lives of children around the world, and what it means for families who lost life-saving support overnight. Mendenhall is a longtime humanitarian and former USAID leader who spent nearly two decades helping communities access food, safety, and critical HIV care. Together, Abebe and Mendenhall explore the human cost of abrupt policy change, the resilience of local partners who continue the work against all odds, and why protecting global child welfare remains urgent and essential.
To learn more about Maury Mendenhall and her work, you can keep up with her emergency campaign A Crisis in Care.
Want to keep digging into the real-life impact policy decisions have on children? Here’s some of what First Focus on Children has published recently:
Remembering, Reflecting, and Acting: Supporting Children Affected by HIV/AIDS
What the “America First Global Strategy” Means for the World’s Children
Social Security Advisory Board Recommends Improved Access and Increased Awareness of Survivor Benefits for Children
To join the conversation, follow First Focus on Children on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.
Send us comments on thoughts via email: SpeakingOfKids@firstfocus.org
Find us on Twitter/X: @SpeakingOfKids and @First_Focus
Want to be a voice for kids? Become an Ambassador for Children here.
To support our work and this podcast, please consider donating to First Focus on Children here.
Speaking of Kids...
Who speaks for kids when lawmakers, the government, and elected officials are making decisions about their education, health and safety?
You do! Children need our collective attention and voice.
You’ve found Speaking of Kids…, a podcast series from First Focus on Children that examines how laws and public systems impact kids — not just in theory, but in real life. We’re here sorting out who’s actually for kids and who’s just kidding.
Join our host, Messellech “Selley” Abebe, as she gathers voices from every corner of the kid-policy world: congresspeople, public health leaders, political organizers, parents, and the dogged advocates doing the hard work of imagining something better.
Selley explores the ‘kid angle’ in policy and politics. What’s working? What’s not? And how can we take action to create a better future for the next generation?
Listen and discover the hidden power that each of us has as an ambassador for children. We believe that kids matter. Their lives are worth protecting, their joy is worth preserving, and their futures are absolutely worth fighting for.
