This policy briefing addressed the ‘invisible crisis’ of family homelessness in the U.S. Click to view the recording.
Families in Crisis: Research and Policy Solutions for Ending Family Homelessness
Category: Publications
A Toolkit for Employers: A Checklist for Building a Family-friendly Workplace
According to the Surgeon General, 41% of parents say most days they are so stressed they cannot function. Employers face an urgent need to attract and retain high-quality workers, but poor work-life balance and high childcare costs are pushing working parents to the brink. Some are even leaving the workplace entirely. The Clark-Fox Policy Institute […]
Transforming Systems: How Early Childhood Education Can Support Child Welfare and Well-Being
This policy briefing addressed the critical intersection between early childhood education and the child welfare system. Click to view the recording.
Getting Out the Vote in St. Louis
Few actions shape public policy more directly than voting, yet contemporary efforts to protect election integrity have instead erected barriers to voter access, particularly in communities of color. As we approach the 2024 election season, there is an urgent need to understand barriers to voting in our community. In a new policy brief, Getting Out […]
21st Century Agenda: Transformative Research and Practice in Community Collaboration
In this webinar series, researchers co-present with community partners to explore how researchers can engage meaningfully with communities using a social justice lens.
New data brief on wage supplements for childcare educators
Early childhood education centers face significant financial constraints that limit their ability to raise wages for their educators. Addressing this issue requires investment from both the government and private sectors, policy reforms, and innovative funding solutions to ensure that educators are fairly compensated without making early childhood education unaffordable for families. Click below to download […]
The Next Generation: Preparing for the Future of the Workforce
Family-Friendly Business PoliciesPart 3 of a 3-Part Series The Clark-Fox Policy Institute has produced a three-part policy brief focused on family-friendly business policies The evidence-informed policy recommendations were developed by layering scientific research with community voice. They are aimed at supporting employees by providing the flexibility needed to balance the responsibilities of work and family while […]
Investing in the Next Generation: Early Childhood Education to Shape the Future Workforce
This virtual panel discussion on Open Classroom examined why access to quality and affordable childcare is essential to support successful children, healthy families, and a thriving economy.
Missouri just raised the minimum wage. But is it enough to help working families?
This policy alert was authored by Rebecca Feeney, practicum student at the Clark-Fox Policy Institute. Beginning January 1, 2024, the Missouri minimum wage increased to $12.30/hour for most workers. The increase follows a 2018 referendum that raised the minimum wage to $12/hour over five years and will continue to adjust the minimum wage every following […]
Good Businesses Attract Good Employees: Promoting Employee and Family Wellbeing
Family-Friendly Business PoliciesPart 2 of a 3-Part Series The Clark-Fox Policy Institute has produced a three-part policy brief focused on family-friendly business policies The evidence-informed policy recommendations were developed by layering scientific research with community voice. They are aimed at supporting employees by providing the flexibility needed to balance the responsibilities of work and family while […]
Paid Leave: Good for Families, Businesses, and the Economy
Family-Friendly Business PoliciesPart 1 of a 3-Part Series The Clark-Fox Policy Institute has produced a three-part policy brief focused on family-friendly business policies The evidence-informed policy recommendations were developed by layering scientific research with community voice. They are aimed at supporting employees by providing the flexibility needed to balance the responsibilities of work and family while […]
Marriage Equality and Its Impact on Child Wellbeing
Yesterday, the Respect for Marriage Act was codified into law and it will go a long way toward protecting families and promoting child wellbeing. The recognition of same-sex marriages allows children to be raised by loving same-sex parents who are committed to one another and to their children. It contributes to a stable and supportive […]
Publications
Fragile early childhood education system at greater risk
Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, nationwide nearly two-thirds of child care providers have closed, leaving working parents struggling to find reliable care. Without additional public funding, over four million providers of early childhood care and education (ECE) across the United States are at risk of permanently closing. One recent survey, by the National […]
Launching Lifelong Success
A Solution for St. Louis Children in St. Louis do not begin life on an even playing field – and this has profound impacts for the current generation and generations to come. Given the compounded benefits of early childhood care and education (ECE), investment in a coordinated ECE system has the potential to yield greater […]
Housing First Puts Children First
Addressing family homelessness is a complex challenge that demands an array of interventions. Children are particularly vulnerable since housing instability – such as homelessness and frequent moves – increases the likelihood that they will experience adverse consequences related to health, behavioral and educational outcomes. One approach that may be helping to end homelessness among families […]
To Eat or to Heat – Proposed Change Reduces Food Benefits for Families
Over the past year, the Trump administration has proposed a series of changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) that would systematically prevent millions of Americans from receiving needed benefits. The most recent adjustment would alter the way utilities costs are calculated in order to determine eligibility. The change could mean that nearly one […]
Impact of Weapons and Violence on Schools and Communities
Weapons and violence in schools are a significant public health challenge that affects the physical and mental health of young people across the United States, as well as their families and communities. The Congressional Social Work Caucus (chaired by Rep. Barbara Lee, CA-13), in conjunction with the American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare, […]
Protecting Children’s Rights: The Detriments of Detaining Children
Violence in the Northern Triangle region of Central America (Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras) has prompted thousands of individuals, families and unaccompanied minors to seek protection and asylum in the United States – many arriving by way of the U.S./Mexican border. As of July 22, 2019, approximately 10,000 Unaccompanied Alien Children (UACs) were in care […]
Make Work Work
Missouri is home to many hard working families who are struggling to make ends meet. They take pride in working and in raising their children. Unfortunately, low wages and limited access to quality child care puts an incredible strain on families across the state. The Clark-Fox Policy Institute’s first report, Make Work Work: Strengthening Missouri […]
Credit Where It’s Due: Establishing an Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) for Missouri’s working families in need
The federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) has become one of the United States’ most effective programs for combatting poverty experienced by low-income working families. The EITC has garnered broad bi-partisan support, in large part because it encourages and rewards work. In 2015, low-income working families received an average EITC of $3,186, allowing them to […]
Bouncing Between Homes: Hypermobility and its impact on children’s education and communities at large
Low-income families living in disinvested areas are more likely to live in unstable housing. Their living situations are often characterized by overcrowding, disrepair, and decreased affordability and safety. Such families move frequently, not necessarily to better their situation, but because circumstances offer no other choice. Financial stress forces families to make housing tradeoffs – sacrificing […]
Food for Thought: Food insecurity undermines learning outcomes and academic success
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) plays a critical role in lifting children and families out of poverty, ameliorating the harmful effects of food insecurity. SNAP is the most effective government-run program to address hunger in the United States. It has been shown to improve child health, mental health, development, and growth, and to promote […]
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Care in Uganda: A Three-Part Series
In Uganda, children make up about half (56%) of the total population, and they often present with multiple physical, mental health, and educational challenges. Large numbers of Ugandan children live in communities with high rates of chronic poverty (38%), domestic violence (30%), physical violence toward children (80%), depression (33 to 39%), malaria (70 to 80%), […]
Justice for Juveniles: Raising the Age for Inclusion in Juvenile Courts
May 2018 Justice for Juveniles: Raising the Age for Inclusion in Juvenile Courts Over the past 10 years, many states that previously prosecuted 16- and 17-year-old offenders in the adult judicial system have raised the age to 18. This trend has occurred in response to a growing body of research demonstrating the harmful effects of […]
Access is critical but by itself not sufficient
Access is critical but by itself not sufficient The Affordable Care Act is credited with expanding healthcare coverage to more than 20 million previously-uninsured Americans – a significant achievement for the United States as access to healthcare is a major driver of health outcomes. Still, access alone will not eliminate racial health disparities, ranging […]
Missouri Law Undermines Equity in Housing and Education
Missouri Law Undermines Equity in Housing and Education U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development extends deadline to May In 2017, legislation passed in Missouri that weakened the Missouri Human Rights Act (MHRA), making it more difficult to prove discrimination. The modification to the MHRA by Senate Bill 43 formed the basis of the NAACP’s […]
Moving Toward a Healthier Missouri: Reinstituting Therapy Services in Missouri Medicaid
Moving Toward a Healthier Missouri: Reinstituting Therapy Services in Missouri Medicaid In October 2017, the Center for Health Economics & Policy at the Institute for Public Health and the Clark-Fox Policy Institute at the Brown School at Washington University hosted Transforming Healthcare in Missouri: Ideas for Innovation and Investment to generate ideas for improving […]
Harvest Box – Return to Sender!
Harvest Box – Return to Sender! President Trump’s 2019 budget proposes significant alterations to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) which could result in an estimated eligibility cut for at least 4 million people, and reduce program funding by $213 billion over the next ten years. As described in a previous Clark-Fox Policy Institute policy brief, SNAP plays a […]
Healthcare for Children Still at Risk: Funding CHIP is Only Half the Battle
Since Fall 2017 the Clark-Fox Policy Institute has been raising awareness on the importance of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), which provides federal matching funds to states to provide health coverage to children in families with incomes too high to qualify for Medicaid, but who can’t afford private coverage. Funding for CHIP expired in […]
Trumping Healthcare: Presidential Executive Orders and the ACA
In the months since taking office President Trump has acted decisively to undermine the health security of Americans that was established under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The ACA, also commonly referred to as ObamaCare, currently provides health insurance to nearly 12 million Americans. While the ACA remains the law, executive actions by the Trump […]
Expiration of CHIP: Putting the Health Care of Millions of Children at Risk
On September 30, 2017, Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) expired without reauthorization. Even though a bipartisan bill for extension of CHIP was introduced last month, it was never brought to a vote. If no action is taken, 8.9 million children in the United States will lose their health insurance coverage. In Missouri, about 87,790 children are in danger of losing their coverage. The […]
From Budget Cuts to Baby Wipes: Will Teen Pregnancy Be Back On The Rise?
The Trump Administration has eliminated over $213 million in funds for teen pregnancy prevention programs and research, raising concerns that teen pregnancy rates will begin to rise. The Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program (TPPP) was established by the Obama Administration in 2010 to promote evidence-based interventions for reducing teen pregnancy rates among young people at higher risk. Administered by […]
CHIP-ing Away At Health Care Coverage For Children
If funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) is not extended by Congress this month, millions of children in the United States will be at risk of losing their health insurance coverage in just six months. Currently, 8.9 million children throughout the United States and between 60,000 and 70,000 children in Missouri have coverage through CHIP. In 1997, CHIP was […]