Reports
The Prenatal-to-3 Policy Impact Center conducts original research and rigorous evaluations of state policies and programs. Through mixed methods, we examine not only whether a policy is effective, but also for whom and under what conditions. We calculate the return on investments. Our findings help states strengthen supports for children and families.
Featured
Families across the United States are struggling to find and afford child care. Policymakers, advocates, and researchers have documented the scope of that struggle at the national level for years. What has been far harder to answer is a simpler question: what is happening in any given community?
A new five-part research series from our Center provides that kind of local understanding for greater Nashville, Tennessee.
Additional Reports
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Refundable Tax Credits: Uptake Patterns in Texas Reveal Opportunities for States to Support Families
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Reports & Research Briefs
Because the earliest years of life shape brain development and lifelong wellbeing, the policies and systems that support families with young children matter enormously. Our Research and Evaluation and Policy teams produce reports and briefs across key areas including child care, paid leave, economic supports, governance, and equity to translate the science of early childhood into actionable solutions. Explore our catalog below to find research on the topics that matter most to you.
Securing the Future: Examining Dedicated Sources of Funding for Child Care Subsidy Programs
Access to high-quality child care is essential for a family’s active workforce participation and children’s healthy development. Child care is
State policy progress on child care subsidies in 2024
Child care subsidies provide essential financial support to make child care more affordable, assisting families as they navigate the challenges
2024 Prenatal-to-3 Legislative Highlights
With most legislatures adjourned for the year, we recap the 2024 action on state policies to support children and families.
Brief: State policy progress on child care subsidies in 2023
The 2023 Prenatal-to-3 State Policy Roadmap identifies child care subsidies as one of the most effective policies at improving child
State policy progress on paid family and medical leave in 2024
Paid family and medical leave (PFML) is one of 12 evidence-based policies in our 2024 Prenatal-to-3 State Policy Roadmap, which
State policy progress on refundable state earned income tax credits (EITCs) in 2024
 A refundable state earned income tax credit (EITC) of at least 10 percent of the federal credit is one of
2024 Prenatal-to-3 Legislative Highlights
With most legislatures adjourned for the year, we recap the 2024 action on state policies to support children and families.
Refundable Tax Credits: Uptake Patterns in Texas Reveal Opportunities for States to Support Families
States and community organizations can increase awareness of credits. Increasingly, the state and federal government use tax credits, such as
State Policy Progress on Earned Income Tax Credits in 2025
State earned income tax credits (EITCs) provide financial support to low and moderate-income families, offering relief that can reduce poverty
How Do State Policy Choices Impact Family Resources?
The Policy Impact Calculator compares the level of resources available to a full-time working family across states. This interactive tool
Low Pay, No Matter the Path for Early Childhood Educators: Findings from North Texas
Recent survey data from North Texas indicate that early childhood educator wages remain far below the local living wage, regardless
The North Texas Child Care Workforce Study
The North Texas Child Care Workforce Study provides a comprehensive picture of North Texas’s early care and education (ECE) workforce,
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- Child care | Child poverty | Child wellbeing | Economic supports | Equity | Health care | Paid leave | Parental health | Parenting support
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- TOPIC:
- Child care | Child poverty | Child wellbeing | Economic supports | Equity | Health care | Paid leave | Parental health | Parenting support
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- TOPIC:
- Child care | Child poverty | Child wellbeing | Economic supports | Equity | Health care | Paid leave | Parental health | Parenting support
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- TOPIC:
- Child care | Child poverty | Child wellbeing | Economic supports | Equity | Health care | Paid leave | Parental health | Parenting support
