Child Policy Issues
A number of organizations have a strong focus upon federal or state child policy issues, providing information or positions on those issues. Their websites can be accessed through this page and provide information on federal and state child policy options, in particular.
| Federal | State | Research |
National Child Policy Advocacy Organizations
Established in 1973, the Children's Defense Fund has a mission of ensuring every child has a Healthy Start, a Head Start, a Fair Start, a Safe Start, and a Moral Start. CDF lobbies on behalf of children at the federal level and has policy positions and information in the areas of: (1) child welfare and mental health, (2) early childhood development, (3) child health, (4) youth development, (5) family income, and (6) budget analysis.
Every Child Matters is a national nonprofit organization devoted to improving the lives of children and families by advocating for better public policy during state and local campaigns. Its federal legislative agenda includes positions on: (1) child health, (2) child abuse, (3) after-school programs, (4) pre-school education, and (5) working families and taxes. Every Child Matters also has conducted an Iowa poll of likely caucus goers and their views on children's issues. Every Child Matters provides detailed information on each of these issues and how it affects every state, including Iowa. Every Child Matters also has conducted an Iowa poll of likely caucus goers and their views on children's issues.
The Family Research Council champions marriage and family as the foundation of society and works to shape public debate and policy that values human life and upholds the institutions of marriage and the family. FRC promotes the Judeo-Christian worldview as the basis for a just, free, and stable society. FRC focuses on the following policy areas: human life and bioethics, marriage and family, human sexuality, economics and taxes, the courts, government, education, religion and culture, and other issues.
First Focus is a bipartisan advocacy organization launched by America's Promise Alliance that is committed to making children and their families a priority in federal policy and budget decisions. First Focus approaches children's issues with an emphasis upon: bipartisanship, new partnerships, research for results, and engaging state leaders. First Focus' federal agenda includes health (SCHIP reauthorization, child obesity, and Healthy Start), education (community engagement and increasing graduation rates); family economics (tax credits, nutrition supports, child support enforcement); and child welfare (investing in prevention, improving the child welfare system, and addressing disparities in child welfare).
The Heritage Foundation is committed to building a future where freedom, opportunity, prosperity, and civil society flourish. The Heritage Foundation's domestic issues with a strong focus upon children and families include: (1) education, (2) family and marriage, (3) health care, (4) sex education and abstinence, and (5) welfare.
Voices for America's Children is a nonpartisan organization representing 60 member child advocacy organizations in 48 states speaking out for the well-being of children at the federal, state, and local levels of government. Voices' policy areas include: (1) child welfare, (2) children and nutrition, (3) early care and education, (4) juvenile justice, and (5) kids and the federal budget. Voices policy vision and goals also stresses diversity and family economic stability as key policy goals for children and families.
State Child Policy Organizations
Every Child Counts Iowa advocates for state policies to improve the lives of children and families. Its state legislative agenda includes policy recommendations in the following areas: (1) early childhood and school readiness, (2) child safety and well-being, and (3) child and family economic success.
The Iowa Family Policy Center is a nonprofit organization dedicated to equipping, empowering and encouraging Iowans to build communities where families are valued and strengthened. Its critical issues are: (1) marriage, (2) sanctity of life, (3) education, (4) gambling, and (5) sexuality.
Child Policy Research Links
The National Center for Children in Poverty uses research to inform policy and practice in promoting the economic security, health, and well-being of America's low-income children and families. Its topical areas include: (1) child poverty, (2) children's mental health, (3) early care and learning, (4) healthy development, (5) immigrant families, (6) infants and toddlers, (7) integrated systems, (8) low wage work, (9) social security, (10) welfare, and (11) work supports. Its Improving the Odds for Young Children provides state-by-state information about the policy choices states make about health, early care and education, and parenting supports.
Produced by the Center for the Study of Social Policy, Policy Matters provides state-by-state information on policies in the areas of: income and asset growth, employment, health, education, and family relationships and support. Policy Matters has produced five state policy briefing guides on: (1) encouraging strong family relationships, (2) raising educational achievement, (3) promoting better family health, (4) improving the economic success of families, (5) improving the readiness of children for school, and (6) engaging youth in positive, productive roles.
The Tufts University Child & Family Web Guide offers information of resources and websites regarding child development across a variety of issues and age ranges. The Guide includes a policy section that offers weblinks to organizations with policy research and information in the following areas: (1) health, (2) education, (3) income and work, (4) family, and (5) social justice and equity.