We aim to improve the lives of low-income children and their families by delivering our research to advocates and policymakers seeking to craft effective policies that promote healthy child development, and strong, nurturing families that are economically secure.

We delve into issues that contribute to child poverty and make sure our ideas reach those in a position to make meaningful change that reduces the number of families experiencing hardship.

Our research sheds light into all areas of children and their families who are living in poverty, covering early childhood education, public benefits, paid family leave, immigration, disability, and mental health.

What the 2025 Reconciliation Bill’s SNAP Overhauls Could Mean for Children, Families, and States

Legislative Library: State Policies on TANF, SNAP, and State-Level Tax Credits

A 50-State Comparison of TANF Policies Linked to Child and Family Protection

Balancing Priorities: Foster Parents’ Child Care Search and Selection Process

Early Care and Education Is an Essential Component of the Foster Care System: A View From Arkansas

Basic Facts About Low-Income Children: Children Under Age 9, 2023

A 50-State Comparison of SNAP Policies Linked to Child and Family Protection

A 50-State Comparison of Restrictions on TANF Access

A 50-State Comparison of TANF Benefit Amounts

Improving Participation of Children in Foster Care in Stable, High-Quality Early Care and Education: Administrative Data Findings (Conference poster)

Improving Participation in High-Quality Early Care and Education for Young Arkansas Children: Perspectives of Resource Parents and Early Childhood Educators

A New Approach to Supporting the Quality of Early Care and Education Programs in Arkansas: Case Studies of Array

Infant-Early Childhood Mental Health in Home Visiting Programs Serving Diverse Families: Promising Strategies to Support Child and Family Well-Being

Medicaid Policies to Help Young Children Access Key Infant-Early Childhood Mental Health Services: Results from a 50-State Survey

The Impact of Direct Cash Transfers on Federally Funded Cash Assistance and Food Assistance Among Young Adults at Risk of or Experiencing Homelessness

All Publications

PRiSM: Promoting Research-informed State IECMH Policies and Scaled Initiatives

This project promotes efforts to achieve positive outcomes for infants and young children by highlighting research-informed IECMH state policies and scaled initiatives. It features exemplary IECMH policies and scaled initiatives, research summaries that offer evidence supporting the use of each strategy, and related tools and research publications.