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 Policies to Promote Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health
Did you know state policies play an important role in promoting infant and early childhood mental health? Infant and early
State Policy Progress on Paid Family and Medical Leave in 2025
Paid family and medical leave (PFML) is one of several evidence-based policies in our 2025 Prenatal-to-3 State Policy Roadmap, which
Child Care: From Market Failure to Strategic Investment
High-quality child care is an essential service that benefits children, families, and the economy. However, rising costs and fragmented workforce
State Policies to Promote Employer-Supported Child Care
Research suggests that the high cost of child care can lead many parents to limit their participation in the workforce,
Brief 2: The People Behind Early Care and Education – Understanding the Early Childhood Workforce
The early childhood education workforce is central to the quality and functioning of center-based child care programs, yet directors across
Brief 3: Limited Providers, Limited Slots – An Analysis of Home-Based Child Care
Home-based child care represents a small but important part of the licensed child care landscape in greater Davidson County, Tennessee,
Brief 4: What High-Quality Center-Based Child Care Really Costs, and Why No One is Paying It – Insights from True-Cost Modeling
The market price of child care reflects what families can afford to pay, not what it actually costs programs to
Brief 5: Estimating the True Cost of High-Quality Home-Based Care – Insights from True-Cost Modeling
Home-based child care plays a small but vital role in greater Davidson County, Tennessee, offering families flexibility, affordability, and culturally
Brief 5: Estimating the True Cost of High-Quality Home-Based Care – Insights from True-Cost Modeling
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