A curated collection of timely and topical policy alerts that shine a light on issues related to child well-being, healthy youth development, family welfare and racial equity.
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 […]
Housing First Puts Children First
While many of us look forward to going home for the holiday season, some families have no place to call home. Homelessness is a serious problem that impacts thousands of families and children in the United States. According to data reported to the U.S. Department of Education, during the 2016-2017 school year an estimated […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]