https://www.fcd-us.org/press-release-cutting-child-poverty-in-half-and-more-pandemic-era-lessons-from-child-and-family-advocates-and-organizers/
Foundation for Child Development releases new policy paper on halving child poverty and more with insights from parents and community leaders, advocates, and organizers illuminating the path forward
NEW YORK, NY — Cutting Child Poverty in Half and More: Pandemic-Era Lessons From Child and Family Advocates and Organizers, published by the Foundation for Child Development, is a comprehensive look at the unprecedented, yet temporary, federal policy reforms enacted during the COVID-19 pandemic. This response to the United States’ longstanding failures to invest in young children’s health, care, nutrition, and housing — among other gaps — offers lessons that provide a blueprint for permanent solutions.
Drawing on newly analyzed data, the new policy paper shows that pandemic responses successfully halved poverty rates for young children — not just all children — in the United States. The authors consider what it means for equity that 40% of young children live in Southern states that fail to invest in children.
The paper includes:
- Newly analyzed data, presented here for the first time, on poverty among young children.
- A complex look at how comprehensive pandemic-response policies were passed and implemented at both federal and state levels, identifying key measures that contributed most to reducing child poverty.
- A summary of ongoing policy changes, as the attention to national policies drove new legislation in dozens of states.
- A recommendation to address equity given the huge share of U.S. children living in Texas, Florida, and other Southern states that are not enacting pro-family policies while other states are.
- Insights into parent and worker organizing, coalition-building, and sustaining advocacy over time arranged into 5 lessons for advocacy, philanthropy, and public action.
“In the many decades I’ve been working on U.S. child and family issues, I’ve never seen this breadth and scale of action across the whole range of young children’s needs,” said Dr. Olivia Golden, senior policy advisor at the Foundation for Child Development and co-author of the paper. “We wrote this paper to uncover the lessons to be taken from this unprecedented success. Yes, these policies were a response to crisis, but so many crises have passed in the United States without strong child-and-family-focused solutions. We wanted to understand, from the people most deeply involved in this advocacy, what was different this time.”
Drawing from interviews with more than 30 national, state, and community activists instrumental in these policy changes, the paper offers five crucial lessons to inform future efforts aimed at addressing inequality across family income, race, and immigration backgrounds:
- Policies must be designed and implemented with direct input from families, particularly families of color and immigrant families, to ensure that reforms meet the real needs of those they aim to help.
- Effective advocacy requires uniting parents and care workers, linking policies to broader economic, racial, and gender justice movements.
- Both federal and state advocacy are essential, with federal policies providing nationwide equity and large-scale change and state and local efforts driving implementation and innovation.
- Successful coalitions are built on diverse roles, perspectives, and strong governance, necessitating investment in coalition infrastructure for sustained social change.
- Significant policy successes result from years of dedicated advocacy and organizing, highlighting the importance of long-term commitment and recognizing that wins often follow losses.
“We witnessed a remarkable achievement in our nation’s history when we halved child poverty amidst a global pandemic,” said Dr. Vivian Tseng, president and CEO of the Foundation for Child Development, who co-authored the paper. “While these reforms may have been temporary, the lessons we glean for future policy change are enduring. We witnessed the unwavering dedication of countless unsung sheroes — organizers and advocates — who fought for the well-being of our nation’s children and families. As we reflect on the lessons from that moment in history, let us honor their invaluable contributions and draw inspiration from their tireless and ongoing efforts to create a more just society for all children.”
The Foundation for Child Development calls on policymakers, advocates, and philanthropic funders to build on these lessons and work toward a future where young children marginalized by racism, xenophobia, and economic inequality and their families can thrive. It is a moral imperative and a practical necessity for the well-being of our nation.
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About the Foundation for Child Development
For over 120 years, we’ve been a foundation for enriching the lives of young children. Operating at the intersection of research, policy, and practice, we seek out fresh ideas to support all children in reaching their full potential. We cultivate collaboration among diverse stakeholders, fund innovative initiatives, and support meaningful change. For more information, visit fcd-us.org and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.
CONTACT
Sherice Brammer
212-867-5777 x 4453
sherice@fcd-us.org