Family Stability and Economic Mobility

Promise 

Every young person will launch from a permanent, nurturing home
of birth, kin, foster, or adoptive family, and fulfill the dream of doing better than their parents.

Problem 

Household stability and mobility have been declining for children
and families. Twenty-nine states have more children in foster care today than they did a decade ago. One in every forty-five (45) children enrolled in public schools is unhoused. Ninety percent of children born in 1940 grew up to earn more than their parents. Today, only half of all children grow up to earn more than their parents did.

Policy Path

In this zone, CDF will advocate for public policy related to: (1) Child welfare, (2) Family-supporting wages, (3) Asset-building opportunities, and (4) expanding the income and housing supports for low-income families.

Moonshot Generational Commitment

Enact a permanent, universal family or child allowance to deliver on our historic commitment to “end child poverty.”

Learn More

Related Updates

  • For Our Children: The Conditions Our Children Inherit

    July 31, 2026 – As a new school year begins, children are returning to classrooms while facing growing challenges, from hunger and health care cuts to mental health needs and educational inequities. Explore why this moment calls for renewed commitment to every child’s well-being.…

  • New Public Charge Rule Threatens Children’s Access to Care and Essential Resources 

    July 23, 2026 – Every child deserves the opportunity to grow up healthy, supported, and free from unnecessary barriers to care. A new public charge rule, announced by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), threatens that vision by creating new uncertainty for immigrant families and discouraging eligible children from accessing the resources they need to thrive. …

  • For Our Children: Every Summer is #FreedomSummer for CDF

    June 18, 2026 – In June, we honor the spirit of Freedom Summer and the generations of organizers, educators, and advocates who have worked to expand justice and opportunity for children and families. This moment calls us to remember that lasting change is built through community, courage, and an unwavering commitment to child well-being.…

  • For Our Children: Building the Country Our Children Deserve

    May 5, 2026 – In May, we pause to observe National Foster Care Month, Mental Health Awareness Month, and National Teacher Appreciation Week. Together, these bring into focus the systems, conditions, and communities that shape family stability and children’s well-being in the nation.…