Transforming the Child Care Landscape: A Case Study of New Mexico
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Throughout the nation, states are struggling to keep their child care industries afloat. Decades of underinvestment and a global pandemic threatened a near-total collapse of the system, held off only by temporary pandemic-era funding that
State Policy Lever Checklist: Comprehensive Screening and Connection Programs
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Comprehensive screening and connection programs assess the social predictors of health that contribute to long-term child and family wellbeing. The programs use screening tools that identify the needs of children and families, and then connect
State Policy Lever Checklist: Reduced Administrative Burden for SNAP
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Reducing the administrative burden for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) increases participation rates among eligible households, increasing household food security. This State Policy Lever Checklist contains a list of policy considerations for state leaders
State Policy Lever Checklist: State Earned Income Tax Credit
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A refundable state earned income tax credit (EITC) of at least 10% of the federal credit promotes healthier and more equitable birth outcomes, increases parents’ workforce participation, and improves household economic security, with the greatest
State Policy Lever Checklist: Paid Family Leave
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A paid family and medical leave policy of at least 12 weeks for birthing parents and at least 6 weeks for non-birthing parents with a new child is one of the most effective policies a
State Policy Lever Checklist: Access to Perinatal Health Insurance
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Expanding Medicaid coverage to most adults with incomes up to at least 138% of the federal poverty level increases families’ access to needed care and services, reduces financial burdens associated with health care costs, leads
State Policy Lever Checklist: Early Intervention Services
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Early Intervention (EI) programs, funded through Part C of the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) offer services for infants and toddlers (birth to age 3) with disabilities or developmental delays, regardless of family
State Policy Lever Checklist: Early Head Start
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Early Head Start (EHS) is a program serving low-income pregnant women, infants, toddlers, and their families by providing child development and family support services in various child care settings. Rigorous evidence indicates high-quality EHS services
State Policy Lever Checklist: Evidence-Based Home Visiting Programs
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Home visiting programs provide comprehensive support and education to expectant and new parents and/or primary caregivers in the home. Though states may choose to target a variety of outcomes through evidence-based home visiting programs, such
State Policy Lever Checklist: Community-Based Doulas
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Community-based doulas are trained social service professionals who provide non-clinical emotional, physical, and informational support to birthing people, starting during pregnancy and continuing during the postpartum period. Rigorous research indicates that community-based doula services are