Press Room

WASHINGTON, DC (June 27, 2019)—The developments of the last week exemplify how the Trump administration is systematically using words and actions to terrorize and ostracize immigrant children and families, with the devastating effect of dehumanizing immigrants and violating our nation’s obligation to protect the health and well-being of all families. With threats of mass immigration raids last [...]

Washington, DC (June 26, 2019)—Earlier this week, the National Black Child Development Institute (NBCDI) announced its 2019 class of NBCDI Policy Fellows, the first in the organization’s 49-year history. Ngozi Lawal, Project Director of the Center for the Study of Social Policy (CSSP)’s Prenatal to 3 Initiative, was chosen as a member of the inaugural class. [...]

  We at CSSP were saddened and continue to mourn the passing of MaryLee Allen, our friend and inspirational colleague who shaped supports and opportunities for the nation’s children and families for more than 40 years at the Children’s Defense Fund. MaryLee was quite literally irreplaceable in the contributions she made to the nation’s child welfare [...]

NEWARK, NJ (June 19, 2019)—New Jersey’s Department of Children and Families (DCF) continues to make significant progress towards meeting the requirements of the Sustainability and Exit Plan (SEP) that resulted from the Charlie and Nadine H. v. Murphy class-action lawsuit. These improvements are documented in the status report to the Honorable Stanley Chesler released today in federal court. Judith [...]

WASHINGTON, DC (April 4, 2019)—The Center for the Study of Social Policy (CSSP) announced today that Beatriz “BB” Otero, will join the organization as a Senior Fellow, bringing her experience and innovative thinking to CSSP’s work to advance equity for young children and their families. As a Senior Fellow, BB will help CSSP in its [...]

  WASHINGTON, DC (April 4, 2019)—The Center for the Study of Social Policy (CSSP) announced today that David Willis, MD, will join the organization as a Senior Fellow, bringing his experience and innovative thinking to CSSP’s work to advance equity for young children and their families. David’s work at CSSP will focus on the intersection [...]

On behalf of the Board of Directors and staff at the Center for the Study of Social Policy (CSSP), it is with the deepest admiration that I announce the planned retirement this fall of our inspirational President and friend Frank Farrow. Frank was present at CSSP’s creation. With founding director Tom Joe, Judy Meltzer, and [...]

Washington, DC (February 21, 2019)—In 2000, concerns about the State of Tennessee’s Department of Children’s Services (DCS) led to a class action lawsuit focused on improving the state’s child welfare policies, programs, and outcomes. To address the concerns, Children’s Rights, a non-profit public interest advocacy organization had filed a federal class action lawsuit in 2000 [...]

Washington, DC (January 22, 2019)—In November 2017, Fairfax County in Virginia passed a far-reaching policy known as ‘One Fairfax,’ requiring that the Board of Supervisors and School Board must “consider equity in decision-making and in the development and delivery of future policies, programs, and services.” The latest publication from the Center for the Study of [...]

WASHINGTON, DC (November 30, 2018)—This week the Office of the Inspector General released a report indicating that the Department of Health and Human Services has failed to ensure that staff working at facilities housing immigrant children undergo the requisite background checks. Record numbers of immigrant children are currently being held in HHS custody because of delays connecting [...]