History
The Children’s Bureau is the first federal agency within the U.S. Government—and in fact, the world—to focus exclusively on improving the lives of children and families. Since its creation by President Taft in 1912, the bureau has tackled some of our nation’s most pressing social issues, including:
- Infant and maternal death
- Child labor
- Orphanages
- Child health and recreation
- Delinquency and juvenile courts
- Family economic security
- Abused and neglected children
- Foster care
In each of these areas, the bureau has provided groundbreaking leadership and garnered critical resources to improve the lives of children and families. We look forward to celebrating a full century of progress on our centennial anniversary, April 9, 2012.
New CB Video
The Children’s Bureau, 1912–2012: A Passionate Commitment. A Legacy of Leadership.
Children’s Bureau leaders and staff—past and present—speak passionately about their commitment to the Bureau’s work and how that passion translates into better outcomes for children, families, and communities. Now available en Español.
Centennial Website
The Children’s Bureau commemorates its history of addressing critical issues affecting children and families and sets the stage for the next century. CB’s centennial website has resources that tell the Children’s Bureau’s story and features the key issues, laws, and leaders that shaped that story.
Webinar Series
Through thought-provoking discussions, this year-long series of monthly webinars will present the historical evolution of Children’s Bureau programs and explore critical topics that shape the child welfare field today. The series is designed to engage child welfare stakeholders, offer a forum for the dialogue, and energize and invigorate thinking for the century ahead.
The Story of the Children's Bureau – An Online Brochure
Explore the Children’s Bureau’s 100-year history of improving the lives of children and families through collaboration, research, assistance to States and Tribes, public awareness campaigns, and more.
View the online brochure in English and en Español. (PDF - 3.8 MB)
History of the Children's Bureau - A Teleconference
In September 2007, Dr. Cecelia Tichi, then Chair of Modern Culture in the John W. Kluge Center at the Library of Congress, presented "Justice, Not Pity: Julia Lathrop, First Chief of the U.S. Children's Bureau.