Blog

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 [...]

The share of children living in poverty increased dramatically in 2022, according to Census Bureau data released today. A primary driver of the sharp increase in child poverty in 2022 was the expiration of the expanded Child Tax Credit (CTC), which kept 5.3 million people out of poverty in 2021, but only 2.4 million people in 2022.

Everywhere I turn, I hear more and more about the negative consequences of the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Whether hearing about sexual and reproductive health care being denied to those in need or hearing of unfortunate harm caused due to oppressive laws that don't allow people to exercise autonomy over their bodies. These struggles [...]

Mandated reporters are omnipresent in every formal support system on which low-income families rely to meet basic needs. Due to America’s long history of racism and white supremacy, these families are disproportionately likely to be Black, Indigenous, and Latine. Though reporting mandates have been the primary intervention purported to keep children safe over the past 50 years, evidence has never shown that they support children’s welfare or prevent child abuse.