In the 20 states where the minimum wage is set at the federal level of $7.25 per hour, full-time workers earning the minimum wage are paid well below the federal poverty line, making it difficult
Since the release of our 2020 Prenatal-to-3 State Policy Roadmap, every state has increased their investment in at least one effective Roadmap policy, but the choices they have made vary considerably. The distinct choices that
Research is clear that money matters for children’s wellbeing and achievement. Greater income allows parents to better meet children’s basic needs, and financial stability can reduce parental stress. State child tax credits (CTCs) provide one
Ever since the successful temporary expansion of the federal child tax credit (CTC) in 2021, state CTCs have become an increasingly common state policy to support families’ economic stability. Prior to the expansion, only 6
 Paid family and medical leave (PFML) is one of 12 evidence-based policies in our 2024 Prenatal-to-3 State Policy Roadmap, which details states’ progress toward adopting and implementing policies that effectively improve child and family wellbeing.
 A refundable state earned income tax credit (EITC) of at least 10 percent of the federal credit is one of 12 prenatal-to-3 policies included in our 2024 Prenatal-to-3 State Policy Roadmap, which details states’ progress
STATE MINIMUM WAGE WHAT IS A STATE MINIMUM WAGE AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT? State minimum wages are legislative mandates that set a floor for the hourly wage that employers must pay their workers. About
STATE EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT WHAT IS AN EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT? The federal earned income tax credit (EITC) is a refundable tax credit for low-income workers designed to reduce
REDUCED ADMINISTRATIVE BURDEN FOR SNAP WHAT IS ADMINISTRATIVE BURDEN AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT? Administrative burden refers to the barriers that increase the costs—time, money, and psychological distress—of applying for and maintaining enrollment in any
STATE MINIMUM WAGE WHAT IS A STATE MINIMUM WAGE AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT? A minimum wage establishes a floor for workers’ hourly wages to prevent exploitation by employers and ensure a minimum level of
