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Stephanie Ettinger de Cuba and Megan Sandel Submit Written Testimony to the Massachusetts Joint Committee on Racial Equity, Civil Rights, and Inclusion of their Recommendations to Advance Racial Equity

On July 23rd, Drs. Stephanie Ettinger de Cuba, Executive Director, and Megan Sandel, Co-Lead Principal Investigator, testified before the Massachusetts Joint Committee on Racial Equity, Civil Rights, and Inclusion on behalf of Children’s HealthWatch…
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Stephanie Ettinger de Cuba and Megan Sandel Submit Written Testimony to the Massachusetts Joint Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities in Support of the Evaluation of Governmental Services on Children and Families

On July 23rd, Drs. Stephanie Ettinger de Cuba, Executive Director, and Megan Sandel, Co-Lead Principal Investigator, testified before the Massachusetts Joint Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities in support of the Senate…
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Stephanie Ettinger de Cuba and Megan Sandel Submit Written Testimony to the Massachusetts Joint Committee on Health Care Financing in Support of Closing the SNAP Gap and Expanding Access to MassHealth

On July 23rd, Drs. Stephanie Ettinger de Cuba, Executive Director, and Megan Sandel, Co-Lead Principal Investigator, testified before the Massachusetts Joint Committee on Health Care Financing in support of the Senate Bill 761 and House Bill…
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Children's HealthWatch Comments on Advancing Racial Justice and Equity and Support for Underserved Communities at USDA

On July 15, Children HealthWatch submitted comments to USDA regarding its plan to advance racial justice and equity. We elaborate on ways to identify and eliminate barriers in USDA programs and services, and suggest strategies that would allow…
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What Boston Needs To Know About The Child Tax Credit Payments

Originally posted on WBUR. The first monthly child tax credit payments are going out today, and the IRS estimates that roughly 39 million households, which covers around 88% of children in the country, will receive the credit. But what about…
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The money could transform their lives. But thousands of eligible kids may not get the new child tax credit

Originally posted on the Boston Globe. Local groups are working hard to make the process easier. At their urging, the IRS recently introduced a ”non-filers portal” where people who do not file taxes can register to receive the credit.…
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Children's HealthWatch Response to OMB Request for Information on Methods and Leading Practices for Advancing Equity and Support for Underserved Communities through Government

On July 6, Children HealthWatch submitted a comment on the Office of Management and Budget, Executive Office of the President's Request for Information, "Methods and Leading Practices for Advancing Equity and Support for Underserved Communities…
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'The effects will linger': US kids’ long-term health in jeopardy after pandemic schooling

Originally posted on USA Today News. More kids going hungry The pandemic has deprived millions of children of school-related services that normally blunt the harm caused by poverty. From March to May 2020, students missed more than 1.1 billion…
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Bipartisan legislation introduced in Senate would address eviction crisis

Originally posted on Financial Regulation News. A bipartisan group of U.S. senators introduced legislation that seeks to reduce the number of evictions in the United States. The Eviction Crisis Act of 2021 – introduced by U.S. Sens.…

Our Policy Focus Areas

Children’s HealthWatch research and policy analysis specifically focuses on the child health and developmental impacts of economic hardships with a particular focus on food insecurity, unstable housing, health care hardships and inability to afford adequate household energy.

  • Food Security

    Consistent access to food for all family members is crucial for ensuring children are healthy. Food and nutrition assistance programs are an essential cornerstone in supporting the health and well-being of low-income families.

  • Housing Stability

    Stable housing supports healthy growth and development among young children, and means families are not behind on rent, moving frequently, doubled up, overcrowded, or homeless. Policies that create affordable housing options that provide access to safe, stable housing help ensure young children and their families can thrive and be successful in life.

  • Energy Security

    Maintaining consistent utility services so homes are heated in the winter and cooled in the summer is critical for children’s health and safety. Energy supports protect families from the harmful health effects of having their utilities shut off.

  • Health Care Hardships

    When families are forced to choose between paying for health care, such as medical care and prescriptions, and other basic needs such as food, rent, child care, or utility bills, that decision can have an effect on the health and wellbeing of young children. Providing supports necessary to care for children, especially those with special health care needs, is crucial for improving child health.

  • Poverty

    Alleviating economic hardships for families with young children will require comprehensive policy solutions including improvements to nutrition assistance programs, increasing access to affordable housing, providing energy assistance, making work pay through reducing cliff effects and increasing  and expanding access to the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit, providing affordable child care to all children, and supporting the health and development of all children.

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