Though not formally approved or adopted by The American Legion, these youth organizations are provided as a research tool for our members.
Big Brothers/Big Sisters of America
www.bbbsa.org
Nearly 500 Big Brothers/Big Sisters affiliates serve hundreds of thousands of children nationwide. Big Brothers and Big Sisters are trained and supervised adult volunteers that act as friends to children and expand their horizons.
Boys & Girls Clubs of America
www.bgca.org
More than 25 national programs are available in the areas of education, alcohol and drug prevention, gang prevention, and leadership development. More than three million children are served at over 3,000 clubs, helping young people across the country gain competence, usefulness, and a sense of belonging.
Children's Defense Fund
www.childrensdefense.org
Through its national headquarters and state and local offices around the country, CDF does programmatic and policy work on behalf of children most vulnerable to being left behind. CDF provides a strong, effective voice for all children by educating the nation about the needs of children and encouraging preventive investment before children get into trouble, drop out of school, or suffer family breakdown.
Child Welfare League of America
www.cwla.org
CWLA is the oldest and largest nonprofit organization developing and promoting policies and programs to protect America's children and strengthen America's families. CWLA's 1,000 plus member agencies are involved in prevention and treatment of child abuse and neglect, positive youth development programs, child day care, and prevention and treatment of chemical dependency.
National Association of Elementary School Principals
www.naesp.org
NAESP leads in the advocacy and support for elementary- and middle-level principals and other educational leaders in their commitment to all children.
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
www.missingkids.com
NCMEC is the nation's resource center for child protection, providing case management services to assist law enforcement efforts to locate and recover missing children. In this effort, NCMEC offers technical assistance, information dissemination, and advice. NCMEC's CyberTipline handles leads from individuals reporting the sexual exploitation of children and the organization's advanced use of technology has revolutionized the search for missing children.
National PTA
www.pta.org
National PTA members are on the forefront working to resolve challenges regarding young people's education, health, safety, and well being. Parental involvement remains the central focus of PTA efforts and presses for that involvement in all policies and initiatives that affect children. National PTA strives to be a voice for children, a resource for parents, and a strong advocate to public education.
National School Safety Center
www.schoolsafety.us
The NSSC mandate focuses national attention on cooperative solutions to problems that disrupt the educational process. Special emphasis is placed on efforts to alleviate bullying and rid schools of crime, violence, and drugs, and on programs to improve student discipline, attendance, achievement, and school climate.
Prevent Child Abuse America
www.preventchildabuse.org
Since 1972, Prevent Child Abuse America has led the nation in building awareness and providing education in the effort to prevent the abuse of our nation's children. PCAA produces public service advertising and publications and provides training and technical assistance in 39 states and the District of Columbia. PCAA also provides policy leadership in implementing prevention efforts at the national and local level.
Search Institute
www.search-institute.org
The Search Institute focuses on the healthy development of young people. At the heart of the Institute's work is the framework of 40 developmental assets that young people need to grow up healthy, caring, and responsible. Areas of work include applied scientific research, publications and practical tools, networking for leaders and practitioners, strategic consulting and telephone technical assistance, and training.