The Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine reports that an additional $53 billion in public and private resources annually would be required to fully fund a national, high-quality child care and early education system.

States are increasingly using waiver requests seeking federal permission to change how they operate their safety-net programs. Recently, the waiver process has steered off course from its original intent, and states are increasingly using it as a mechanism to create barriers to basic needs programs. 

Workplace conditions and employer policies are taking an incredible toll on Black maternal health. Increasing access to health care and paid family and medical leave will have a huge benefit for Black mothers and their children. 

The Trump Administration's paid parental leave proposal leaves out millions of people. It comes as we mark 25 years of the Family and Medical Leave Act, which was an important step but does not do enough to improve job quality for low-wage workers.

The Trump Administration's budget proposal is yet another gut-punch to low-income individuals and families. It includes devastating cuts to core benefit programs that would destabilize millions of lives and unravel our nation’s safety net. 

Maine's LIFT Act recognizes the challenges that prevent low-income students from completing postsecondary education. By combining public benefits with counseling, financial aid, and advising, the LIFT Act could help them complete their degrees.

Wisconsin’s experience suggests stackable credentials don’t cause students to leave college early. In fact, students completing these credentials are more likely to earn an Associate’s degree.

The Gateway to Careers Act builds on major education and workforce development legislation while also defining a partnership model that will strengthen this work in communities.

States are required by the U.S. Department of Labor to update their four-year Workforce Innovation and Opportunity (WIOA) plan every two years, with the current update due by March 15, 2018. States and advocates should ensure these revised plans do more to prioritize high-need adults.

In his final budget, Governor Brown proposed directing $27 million of California TANF dollars to a home visiting program. Congress should also invest in home visiting by reauthorizing the national MIECHV program.