Equity-Focused Policy Research: Building Cross-Cutting Evidence on Supports for Families with Young Children
RWJF url   https://www.rwjf.org/en/library/funding-opportunities/2021/equity-focused-policy-research--building-cross-cutting-evidence-on-supports-for-families-with-young-children.html?rid=0034400001rlptaAAA&et_cid=2354642
 

Young children’s earliest relationships and experiences have a strong influence on brain development and future health and well-being. Young children’s foundational relationships and experiences occur in the context of families and communities. Yet, some families do not have access to the basic necessities and resources to foster the nurturing experiences and stimulating environments that young children need to thrive. These circumstances are especially likely to affect families of color, families living in rural areas, and other groups of families who experience gaps in access to supports and face disparities in outcomes related to health and well-being. What is needed are policies that support low-income families to provide stimulating and nurturing environments to promote children’s healthy physical, social- emotional, and cognitive development and their future success in school and life.

RWJF is seeking research proposals that explore policies and programming to help improve families' access to the social safety net system. Grants, up to $200,000 each, are available to study the ways that access to early child care education, income supports, and nutrition supports interact and potentially reinforce one another to promote families' well-being.