White House and Congress Manufactured a Crisis that Threatens Jobs, Food Assistance, and Head Start and Will Increase Health Care Costs

The stalemate created by the refusal of Congressional leadership and the Trump Administration to come to the table is unnecessarily threatening food assistance, access to Head Start, and other important programs families rely on and forcing millions of people to soon face increasing health...

March 06, 2025 | Fact Sheet | Stephanie Schmit

Cuts to SSBG, TANF Would Eliminate Child Care for 40K Children, Disrupt Care for Millions More

February 11, 2025 | Report/Brief | Nat Baldino

Young Workers Speak Out: New Perspectives on The Need for Paid Leave

September 30, 2025 | Report/Brief | Priya Pandey

A Guide to Creating “Safe Space” Policies for Early Childhood Programs

Children are the poorest Americans. One in 5 live in poverty, and 4 in 10 are low income. The rate is even higher for children of color, who will make up half of all children within the next few years. Despite working hard, families with low incomes struggle to make ends meet because of low wages, lack of education and employment opportunities, and racial barriers imposed by discriminatory policies and systemic bias. This has lifelong consequences, stunting young people’s development and limiting their job prospects. Addressing these issues requires policies that meet both children’s and parents’ needs. That’s why CLASP advocates for federal, state, and local policies that address the needs of families together. This includes child care and early education, health care and nutrition assistance, connecting youth to education and work, and addressing racial inequities in our education and employment systems.

Featured Expert:

Stephanie Schmit

Director, Child Care and Early Education

Children, Youth, & Families

New from CLASP

December 02, 2025 | Blog Post | Child Care and Early Education

Meet Our New Child Care and Early Education Parent Fellow: Lily Ana Marquez

December 02, 2025 | Blog Post | Child Care and Early Education

Meet Our New Child Care and Early Education Parent Fellow: Alecia Murray

November 18, 2025 | Press Release | Children, Youth, & Families

Public Charge Proposal Threatens the Health and Well-being of Immigrant Families and All Communities

November 13, 2025 | Blog Post | Child Care and Early Education

A Mother’s Voice: Advocating for WIC and Nutrition Equity

October 30, 2025 | News Clip | Children, Youth, & Families

Loan Forgiveness Becomes a Tool for Authoritarianism

Helping States Develop Two-Generation Policies

CLASP and the National Governors Association have partnered with five states—Colorado, Georgia, Minnesota, New Jersey and Oregon—to reform state-wide systems to better serve low-income families. States participate in technical assistance and peer networking, as well as receive financial support, to create two-generation plans that link several policy areas.

States Drive Systems Change Through Two-Generation Strategies