Prioritize Mental Well-Being For Children and Adolescents
Every child has the right to grow up in a safe environment. Ask Congress to continue prioritizing children’s well-being globally & in the U.S. and ensuring their access to quality mental health services.
Urge Congress to Invest in the Mental Well-Being of Children & Adolescents
As part of our mission to relentlessly pursue a more equitable world for every child, Empower Futurewave Foundation prioritizes the overall well-being of children, including their mental health, and supports efforts to help ensure all children and adolescents can access quality healthcare services.
Globally, 1 in 7 adolescents from the ages of 10 to 19 live with a mental health condition. Here in the U.S., poor mental health among children remains a substantial health concern, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Over 14 million children and adolescents have been diagnosed with a mental health condition, including over 2.5 million youth have been diagnosed with major depression in the U.S.
Federal Level - Cosponsoring the Youth Mental Health Data Act (S.3532) to improve youth mental health data systems and;
Ensuring comprehensive funding for mental health services is provided to support children, including through quality school-based services.
State Level - join us in urging your Governor and state representatives to pass legislation and budgets that aims to provide comprehensive funding to expand mental health services, including in schools
Help End Child Marriages In The United States
Worldwide, more than 650 million women and girls alive today were married before their 18th birthday. Some of them are right here in the US. Take action to urge your state legislators to end this practice today.
Urge Your State Elected Officials to Pass Legislation to End Child Marriage
Worldwide, more than 640 million women and girls alive today were married before their 18th birthday. Some of them are right here in the United States. In the United States, child marriage is only banned in 13 states: Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington.
UNICEF calls child marriage a harmful practice and a violation of child rights, and believes that marriage under age 18 should be prohibited in all circumstances. The risks are just as real for child marriages in the U.S. as they are anywhere.
Call on your state elected officials to end child marriage with zero exceptions by supporting legislation in your state legislature.
Help Pass The Read Act Reauthorization
The world is in the depths of a learning crisis. According to estimates, nearly two-thirds of 10-year-olds globally are unable to read and understand a simple story.
Urge Congress to pass the READ Act Reauthorization!
The world is in the depths of a learning crisis. According to estimates, nearly two-thirds of 10-year-olds globally are unable to read and understand a simple story. Futures hang in the balance as education systems fail to ensure children learn the basic skills they need for lifelong learning. They deserve better.
Education access strengthens economies and reduces inequality. It contributes to more stable, resilient societies that give all individuals the opportunity to fulfill their potential. Further, girls who receive an education are less likely to marry young and more likely to lead healthy, productive lives. They earn higher incomes, participate in the decisions that most affect them, and build better futures for themselves and their families.
Introduced by Representatives Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Grace Meng (D-NY), and Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Marco Rubio (R-FL), the READ Reauthorization Act of 2023 (H.R. 681/S.41) extends the authorization of the original 2017 READ Act for an additional five years, continuing U.S. efforts to expand equitable access to quality education for children in foreign assistance. The READ Act ensures the U.S. government will continue to update and report on their strategy to improve foundational literacy and numeracy in basic education around the globe.
Thanks to strong bi-partisan support, the reauthorization of the READ Act has passed the Senate and made its way through the House Foreign Affairs Committee! Now, we need you to call on your Representatives today and urge them to co-sponsor and pass the READ Reauthorization Act of 2023 in the House.
