Publications

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.

Institute Director Gary Parker joins St. Louis Public Radio to discuss a new task force to study what’s holding Missouri women back from finding jobs and advancing their careers.

Atia Thurman of the Clark-Fox Policy Institute talks to St. Louis Public Radio about the barriers facing Missouri’s working parents and their children and what employers can do to keep women in the workforce.

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.

Institute Director Gary Parker and colleague Atia Thurman discuss the impact of pandemic-related childcare closures on working families and the Missouri economy

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.