Children and Families
Governors and state leaders play a critical role in the protection and support of vulnerable children, families, and individuals. The Children and Families (C&F) team provides timely and individualized state-focused technical assistance to Governors, their human services policy advisors, and state agency leadership so they can improve policies and systems that will allow children, families, and communities to reach their full potential. With an emphasis on helping States develop opportunities and policies that support all communities, the C&F team aids Governors to advance and fulfill their vision for the children and families in their states.
Our Focus Areas
- Whole-family Approaches to Serving Children and Families
- Early Childhood Education and Care
- Juvenile Justice
- Human Services Data and Delivery Systems
- Housing and Homelessness
- Food Insecurity and Hunger
- Family Economic Security
- Anti-Poverty Solutions
- Foster Care, Kinship Care, and Adoption
- Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment
- Empowering Families and Communities
- Reducing Barriers to Opportunity and Equity
Meet The Team
- Jordan Hynes
Program Director - Jess Kirchner
Senior Policy Analyst - Eli McCabe
Policy Analyst - Ekaan Ahmad
Policy Coordinator
Children and Families Library
National Governors Association Welcomes 10 States to the Children and Families Core Advisory Board
The National Governors Association today announced its new Children and Families Core Advisory Board members for 2023. Each year, a small group of governors’ human services policy advisors and agency ...
Governors Focus on Affordable Housing
In 2023 State of the State addresses, Governors outlined efforts to increase housing availability and improve affordability. The high cost of housing and what that means for communities is top ...
State Strategies to Address the Needs of Justice-Involved Youth Impacted by Collateral Consequences
This publication documents a series of learning calls, and a roundtable, held by NGA on collateral consequences for youth involved in the juvenile justice system and highlights key policy strategies ...
Expanding Child Care for Student Parents and Training Pathways for Early Childhood Educators
The NGA Center in partnership with Education Strategy Group held a virtual action lab focused on expanding access to and affordability of childcare for student parents and the development of ...
Governors Discuss Youth Mental Health at National Governors Association Winter Meeting
NGA Chair New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy Leads Discussion with U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy on Strengthening Youth Mental Health WASHINGTON – During the 115th annual Winter Meeting of the ...
Governors Murphy, Polis Join Forces to Tackle Youth Mental Health Crisis
Santa Monica, Calif. – National Governors Association (NGA) Chair New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and Colorado Governor Jared Polis held a roundtable discussion with those on the frontlines of youth ...
governors and states meet to talk prevention and resilience in youth mental health
On October 18-19, 2022, in Salt Lake City, Utah, National Governors Association (NGA) Chair New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and NGA Vice Chair Utah Governor Spencer Cox held the first ...
Governors Launch Youth Mental Health Initiative
Salt Lake City – National Governors Association (NGA) Chair New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and NGA Vice Chair Utah Governor Spencer Cox met with those on the frontlines of youth ...
States Convening to Discuss Improving Economic Mobility
From coast to coast, Governors are committed to improving economic mobility outcomes for families in their states and are investing in innovative programs—including in fields traditionally underutilized for economic security—and ...
Advancing Economic Mobility for Low-Income Families: Policy Options for Governors
As we look to post-pandemic recovery, it will be critical to ensure that individuals have access to resources and supports that not only help them meet basic needs but also ...
Letter Urges Congress to provide a one-year extension of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program
The Honorable Ron Wyden ChairmanSenate Committee on Finance 219 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 The Honorable Richard E. NealChairmanHouse Committee on Ways and Means 2309 Cannon Building Washington, ...
State Efforts to Address ACEs and Trauma and Build Resilience
States are working to prevent and mitigate ACEs and trauma, and have an opportunity to advance trauma-informed care with the implementation of the 988 hotline. By Anna Heard Adverse childhood ...
