Blog

This tax filing season, some people can file their taxes for free, directly with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), as part of a pilot program to provide taxpayers a free, high quality alternative to paid tax preparation businesses. The IRS, with the support of partners like the Center for the Study of Social Policy (CSSP), has been ensuring that families who are most impacted by barriers to tax filing, such as the complexity and costs, have been delivering feedback throughout the design and development process of this new Direct File program.

The Center for the Study of Social Policy (CSSP) welcomes three new members to its Board of Directors: Dr. Leon Caldwell (joined Summer 2023), Senior Director Health Equity Strategy and Innovations at American Hospital Association and Founder, Ujima Developers; Elliott Hinkle, Principal and Founder, Unicorn Solutions LLC; and Helly Lee, Director, Frontline Solutions. In addition, [...]

Too often policymakers have pathologized parents—suggesting something is wrong with them and that they are not deserving or capable of caring for their children without surveillance and outside intervention. This well-worn narrative is rooted in long history of anti-Black racism, going back to slavery, and has produced public policies and systems that do not effectively support families and actively cause them harm.

Given the unique needs of children prenatal to three (PN-3) and their families, public agencies that administer supports and resources for young children and their families should focus on developing a shared vision across agencies and in partnership with communities, to meet the needs of pregnant people and children PN-3 and their caregivers.

The Youth Power Parent Power initiative aims to improve outcomes for expectant and parenting youth in and transitioning out of foster care, end the intergenerational involvement of families entering foster care, and promote reproductive health justice for all young people.

On Wednesday, January 24th, CSSP Senior Policy Analyst Esi Hutchful testified before Washington, DC’s Committee on Business & Economic Development at a public hearing regarding a proposal for a DC-level Child Tax Credit (CTC). Hutchful spoke about the impact of the 2021 expansion of the federal CTC and the power of unrestricted cash investments to [...]

Young people deserve to live in a society that promotes their well-being and engages them in designing policies that will contribute to and advance the conditions necessary to thrive. Last week, CSSP wrapped its first ever Constituent Convening, Moving Ideas into Action: Using Our Shared Power to Advance Justice, where we invited three of our [...]

In the complex landscape of early childhood systems, families often encounter barriers to essential resources vital for children's well-being. These barriers can hinder access to critical elements like housing, food, employment, and income. While families have legal rights to health-promoting benefits and services, the gap between these rights and practical access remains a challenge. However, [...]

A Stanford University study released earlier this year found that Black tax filers are audited at between three and five times the rate of non-Black tax filers. While previous research had found regional biases in IRS audit selection—with rural areas with larger numbers of Black, Indigenous, and Latinx/e families with lower incomes experiencing the highest [...]

Culture, though not seen, holds a lot of power as it directs and shows what a gathering of people value collectively, acceptable behaviors, and customs. Addressing culture can be intimidating because of the efforts it takes to transform it and support excellence in a group or organization. Though it is hard work, it is imperative [...]