Supporting Children's Research
The federal government sponsors several studies and research projects that provide invaluable information on the well-being and welfare of our children. Unfortunately, major gaps still exist. First Focus supports the existing efforts and urges Congress to devote more resources toward understanding how our kids are faring and how we can better meet their needs.
The State Child Well-Being Research Act
Over the past ten years, states have been given more authority to spend federal funding in differing ways, an approach that allows states to tailor government policies to meet their specific needs. This generally positive trend avoids the "one size fits all" pitfall that can often doom even a well-meaning policy. Unfortunately, this greater flexibility has not come with greater state-specific information, and this is especially true when it comes to children
Fortunately, recent legislation introduced in both the House (HR 2477) and the Senate (S 1482) would direct the Department of Health and Human Services to conduct an annual state-level survey of child well-being indicators. This survey would fill in crucial gaps in our understanding of how children are faring in each of the states. While the limited information we currently have is a good start, we need to do a better job of understanding how the comprehensive needs of children differ across states and over time. The State Child Well Being Research Act would accomplish this goal.
