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.
Opinion: Fragile early childhood system at greater risk
Institute Director Gary Parker and colleague Atia Thurman discuss the impact of pandemic-related childcare closures on working families and the Missouri economy
Financial pain of pandemic shutdown could stall gains in early childhood education
Institute Director Gary Parker talks with St. Louis Public Radio about the state of early childhood education in St. Louis, calling for more investment in the region’s youngest residents as a way to reduce poverty and improve economic outcomes.
Launching Lifelong Success
The first five years of a child’s life is widely recognized as a critical time for development. Quality care and education not only contributes to child well-being outcomes by improving physical and behavioral health, educational attainment, and financial security – but provides a solid foundation for lifelong success into adulthood. Launching Lifelong Success: Ensuring St. Louis’ Kids are Ready by Five, connects the science to the solution, providing evidence for high-quality early childhood care and education as an effective and equitable policy investment.
Housing First Puts Children First
The Housing First approach recognizes that people experiencing homelessness first need the safety and stability of a home in order to address other challenges. The model calls for rapid placement in homes, without mandating any prerequisites. Housing First Puts Children First explores the merits of Housing First as an intervention to reduce homelessness, particularly for families with children.
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 in five current recipients lose up to $75 in monthly benefits or are removed from the program entirely.
The Impact of Weapons and Violence on Schools and Surrounding Communities: A Congressional Briefing on Capitol Hill
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. To address the issue, a panel of scholars, experts, and activists convened for a congressional briefing on June 12, 2019. A new policy brief by the Clark-Fox Policy Institute chronicles the recommendations from the briefing.
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 incarcerating children in the adult corrections system, and a corresponding nationwide campaign to “Raise the Age” of adult court jurisdiction.
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 of the Health and Human Services, and at least 2,648 immigrant children have been separated from their parents or caregivers, largely due to the Administration’s “zero tolerance policy” that was initiated in April 2018.
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 through Quality Child Care for Working Families, examines the state of affordable, quality child care in Missouri and the impact on economic mobility for working families.