Children's Services
The Federal Government Spent Record Amounts of Money on Children Last Year. It Probably Won’t Last.
Spending on children—including tax programs, education, nutrition and social services—by state and local governments also will likely fall back to pre-pandemic levels within several years as Covid-19 relief measures expire, according to an Urban Institute report.
The Cost for States to Expand Free Pre-K Under the Biden Plan
The Build Back Better proposal provides money for free preschool for 3- and 4-year-olds. States are required to contribute a percentage and will likely incur costs for workforce development, pay increases and adjusting elementary school curriculum.
State Spending on Anti-poverty Programs Could Substantially Reduce Child Abuse and Neglect
Public investments in benefit programs could save tens of thousands of children from being victims of child abuse and have important later-life effects on child welfare and overall health.
Two States Now Offer Free In-home Nurse Visits for New Parents
The visits, offered in Oregon and now New Jersey, include a health and wellness check for both the baby and the parents, an effort to improve maternal mortality rates and boost family well-being.
How One State Plans to Use Federal Relief Money to Shore Up Child Care Options
Montana will leverage more than $31 million to establish grants for child care centers to increase pay, expand capacity and offset tuition rates.
Enrollment in Health Insurance Lags Among Latino Children
States with restrictive Medicaid rules have the lowest insurance rates.
The Best and Worst States for Child Well-Being
Massachusetts took the top spot in the KIDS COUNT Data Book, an annual survey from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, while Mississippi ranked 50th.
Summer Camps Haven’t Fully Recovered. That Could Hurt Working Moms.
Without a full return of summer programs this year, working moms face months of uncertainty that could further splinter their relationship with the workforce.
Child Tax Credits were Expanded to the Poorest Families for the First Time. Most of them Still Can’t Get the Money
The historic expansion of the child tax credit this year could slash child poverty in half, but only if the poorest families can access it. Reaching them is a massive task the country has never taken on.
The Keys to Fixing Child Care are Now in the Hands of States. They May not be Ready for the Task
Biden’s American Rescue Plan allocated $39 billion for child care — a historic infusion. But states are relying on small staffs, old systems and a short timeline to get the money out equitably.
Some States Update Child Neglect Laws to Allow 'Reasonable Independence' For Kids
A handful of states have clarified neglect laws to allow parents to permit their children to walk to school and play outside alone without fear of intervention from police or Child Protective Services.
Only Some Parents Can Use Campaign Funds for Child Care When Running for Office. Here’s Why.
A new report highlights the financial barriers to parents of young children running for state and local office.
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