CSSP Home Page

Designed to Keep You Down

This report shares findings from research conducted CSSP and parents participating in Project SPARC, a project of the CalWORKs Association.

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Foster Youth & SNAP

The Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 includes new provisions which should eliminate some of the barriers former foster youth have experienced in accessing SNAP. This brief explains the new rules and the steps that state agencies can take to ensure former foster youth can access SNAP benefits.

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New Episode!

The New Neighborhood Podcast is back for Season 3. Check out the new episodes.

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The Child Tax Credit

Last winter, we conducted a survey to better understand the impact of the expanded Child Tax Credit on Black, Latinx/e, and other families of color. Check out our findings. 

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Who We Are

The Center for the Study of Social Policy works to achieve a racially, economically, and socially just society in which all children, youth, and families thrive. We translate ideas into action, promote public policies grounded in equity, and support strong and inclusive communities. We advocate with and for all children, youth, and families marginalized by public policies and institutional practices.

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Our Approach

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Systems Change

We draw on the latest research and work to make systems more responsive, accountable, and rooted in policies that ensure equity and inclusion for all children, youth, families, and communities.

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Community Outreach

We believe in the power of communities to shape their futures. We work with communities across the country and with local systems to impact policy and systems change.

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Policy

We work to influence public policy to create opportunity, advance equity, achieve impact, and scale results. We fight against inequitable policy proposals and promote policies that ensure equity and inclusion.