Blog

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 10: U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) speaks to the press during his weekly press conference at the U.S. Capitol on April 10, 2025 in Washington, DC. Jeffries spoke about how the Republican budget cuts would affect Medicaid and food assistance. (Photo by Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 10: U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) speaks to the press during his weekly press conference at the U.S. Capitol on April 10, 2025 in Washington, DC. Jeffries spoke about how the Republican budget cuts would affect Medicaid and food assistance. (Photo by Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images)
April 30, 2025 | Blog Post | Suzanne Wikle

Medicaid Cuts Come Into Focus: Millions Stand to Lose Health Care

As Congress considers slashing up to $880 billion from Medicaid, new details reveal plans to impose harmful “work requirements,” eliminate eligibility for legal immigrants, and restructure funding through risky per capita caps. These proposed changes will lead to mass disenrollment

Read more
Young volunteer gives grocery sack to young needy family, food was donated by local neighbors. Vegetable, fruit, and bread food items are in the bag. Service, kindness, charity, donation, community outreach themes.
September 3, 2024 | Blog Post

Hidden Hunger: Food Insecurity and Challenges to Access in the Asian American and Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Communities

Asian American (AA) and Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) communities face unique challenges that are often masked by overgeneralization and the model minority myth. These include disparities in poverty, food insecurity, and access to resources.

toddlers playing in day care child care early head start looking into the distance
Four toddlers sit side-by-side on the floor of their daycare classroom as they pose for a portrait. They are each dressed comfortably and have blocks out in front of them.
August 29, 2024 | Blog Post | Shira Small

New Head Start Final Rule Significantly Improves Workforce Compensation and Better Supports Children and Families

CLASP supports HHS's decision to issue a new final rule that increases wages for the Head Start workforce, improves its mental health supports, and enhances services to better meet the needs of children and families across the country.

Teacher And Pupils Using Wooden Shapes In Montessori School
August 28, 2024 | Blog Post | Shira Small

Federal Investments Are Essential as the Final Child Care COVID Relief Funds Expire

Federal investments of over $50 billion, including $39 billion from ARPA, helped sustain child care providers during COVID-19. These funds improved access, affordability, and provider support, but are set to expire on September 30, 2024.

Two diverse young hotel maids in white uniforms unlocking the room for the cleaning
August 26, 2024 | Blog Post | Lorena Roque

The Working Poor: Lack of Job Quality Increases Poverty Rates

Despite working full-time, "working poor," folks continue to have low wages due to the outdated federal minimum wage laws. Racial disparities persist, with Black and Hispanic workers disproportionately affected. We must raise the minimum wage to lower poverty.

Young child at doctor's appointment | Shutterstock, Pressmaster
Shutterstock, Pressmaster
August 23, 2024 | Blog Post | Suzanne Wikle

2023 Health Insurance Rates Likely to Fall After Recent Record Highs

2023 data from the Census Bureau may show an increase in uninsurance as millions of people were disenrolled from Medicaid starting in April 2023 when one of these provisions expired – with more threats ahead.

house viewing with estate agent
August 23, 2024 | Blog Post | Jesse Fairbanks

Too Many People Can’t Rent with Housing Choice Vouchers. Will Switching From Vouchers to Cash Help?

HUD is planning a pilot program to provide direct rental assistance to some who are eligible for housing choice vouchers. Giving cash instead of vouchers to eligible renters is a monumental change that signals trust in participants.

August 22, 2024 | Blog Post | Alyssa Fortner

Cost-Sharing for Child Care: Looking at the Tri-Share Model

This new cost-sharing model's positive and negative impacts are still being realized. What's clear is that this country needs a well-resourced, publicly funded child care system that is universally accessible and affordable.

Portrait of a multi-ethnic blended family of five standing together outdoors in their front yard, posing for the camera. The African-American father is in his 40s. Their son and daughter from his prior marriage are standing on the ends. They are 13 year old twins, mixed race African-American and Caucasian. The mother is in her 30s and their youngest son from her prior marriage is 11 years old.
August 22, 2024 | Blog Post | Ashley Burnside

New TANF Pilot Allows States to Help Families Achieve Their Goals in Place of Outdated Work Measure

This new pilot represents one important step in turning TANF into a program that adequately reaches families and effectively supports them in times of financial emergencies.

African American mom holding child | Shutterstock, digitalskillet
Shutterstock, digitalskillet
August 16, 2024 | Blog Post | Ashley Burnside

Anticipated High Child Poverty Rate Can Be Addressed in Upcoming Tax Package

While we don't expect major changes in child poverty when the 2023 data are released, a potential 2025 tax package provides an opportunity for improvement.

August 7, 2024 | Blog Post | Lulit Shewan

Intense Summer Heat Highlights Dangerous Gaps in Worker Safety Regulations

The Biden-Harris Administration’s proposed rule to address excessive heat in the workplace is essential, marking the first nationwide standard for addressing the hazards of excessive heat in the workplace.

Pages