Our Team

Sarah Ritter, MSW

Senior State Policy Analyst

Sarah Ritter is a Senior State Policy Analyst at the Prenatal-to-3 Policy Impact Center at Vanderbilt University. In her role, Sarah monitors the development, adoption, and implementation of state policies related to economic security for families with young children. She analyzes policy variation and trends across the states and serves as a resource for state-level policymakers and advocates. Sarah also contributes to the development of the annual Prenatal-to-3 State Policy Roadmap.

Prior to this role, Sarah worked as a Senior Manager of Public Policy at a hunger-relief organization, where she oversaw policy research and advocacy initiatives to increase food security and economic mobility for families in Missouri. Sarah has extensive experience in community engagement, coalition building, and policy research and analysis. Sarah holds a Master of Social Work (MSW) from Washington University in St. Louis and a Bachelor of Arts in Gender, Women’s and Sexuality Studies from Grinnell College.

Sarah grew up in central Kansas and currently lives in St. Louis, Missouri with her husband and their two cats. Outside of work, Sarah enjoys trying new restaurants, walking around the various parks in her neighborhood, and playing board games with her family.

Authored Content

With most legislatures adjourned for the year, we recap the 2024 action on state policies to support children and families. So far this year, lawmakers throughout the country debated—and many passed—legislation that aligns with four key components of the prenatal-to-3 system of care.
With most legislatures adjourned for the year, we recap the 2024 action on state policies to support children and families. So far this year, lawmakers throughout the country debated—and many passed—legislation that aligns with four key components of the prenatal-to-3 system of care.
State legislators are off to the races! Nearly three quarters of states have gaveled in for the 2024 session, and several more will convene later this month. This post marks the starting line for our
Since our last update, legislatures and governors throughout the country have taken exciting action on state earned income tax credits (EITC), paid family leave, Medicaid expansion, extension of postpartum Medicaid coverage, and child care subsidies.