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childrensequity.bsky.social
The Children's Equity Project
@childrensequity.bsky.social
390 followers 17 following 160 posts
Closing opportunity gaps and advancing equity in all of the systems that impact the lives of children and families.
https://linktr.ee/childrensequityproject
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childrensequity.bsky.social
The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · Sep 29
🚨 #NewReport Release! 🚨

This report reviews the program’s reach, impact, and policy foundations. It highlights how access to #HeadStart boosts children’s academic success and strengthens communities—while exclusion creates lasting harm.

Learn more: cep.asu.edu/resource...
childrensequity.bsky.social
👧🏽👦🏽 1 in 4 U.S. children lived in immigrant families in 2023. That’s 17.9 million children—& 86% of them were born in the U.S. When families are separated by immigration enforcement, kids' health, development, education, & financial stability are impacted.

Learn more: cep.asu.edu/resource...
November 12, 2025 at 5:57 PM
childrensequity.bsky.social
It is more important than ever to intentionally foster a mental health climate that is responsive to children’s & staff’s needs. This brief has recs to support children & the adults who love & care for them in early care & learning programs. cep.asu.edu/resource...
November 10, 2025 at 8:01 PM
childrensequity.bsky.social
Children witnessing a caregiver violently detained can cause trauma & impact wellbeing. This brief reviews the research on the wide-ranging impacts of caregiver separation on children. cep.asu.edu/resource...

#FamilySeparation #DeportationImpact #ChildWellbeing #ChildDevelopment
November 10, 2025 at 7:55 PM
childrensequity.bsky.social
The CEPs Dr. Shantel Meek participated in a radio interview w/ KJZZ earlier this week where she discussed the impact of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Head Start on children in Arizona.

Listen to the full interview here 👉
1 in 4 AZ kids relies on SNAP. State's dismal childhood poverty record leading to a perfect storm
As the federal shutdown drags on, SNAP food benefits recipients remain in limbo. A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to release contingency funds to pay the benefits, but the president said he would withhold the benefits until the shutdown ends.
www.kjzz.org
November 7, 2025 at 12:13 AM
childrensequity.bsky.social
As of 11/6, 20 HS programs in 17 states & Puerto Rico have had to close their doors. Leaving nearly 10,000 children/families w/out access to the care, early learning, nutrition, & stability HS provides.

Learn more: nhsa.app.box.com/s/9...
November 6, 2025 at 6:28 PM
childrensequity.bsky.social
As of Nov 1, the NHSA shows 140 HS programs are operating w/out #federalfunding & are facing possible closure due to a lack of funds. Affecting 22,432 HS staff across the country. If uncertainty continues, more HS programs will be impacted.

Learn more: nhsa.org/about-nhsa/...
November 4, 2025 at 4:43 PM
childrensequity.bsky.social
According to the NHSA, as of Nov 1, 140 #HeadStart (HS) programs across 41 states & Puerto Rico, serving 64,907 kids, are operating w/out federal funding & are facing closure due to a lack of funds. If uncertainty continues, more HS programs will be impacted.

Learn more: nhsa.org/about-nhsa/...
November 3, 2025 at 11:25 PM
childrensequity.bsky.social
IECMHC works. Research shows:

✅ Gains in children’s social-emotional skills
✅ Fewer challenging behaviors
✅ More positive teacher–child interactions
✅ Reduced suspension & expulsion rates

This is prevention that changes trajectories.

Learn more: cep.asu.edu/resource...
October 31, 2025 at 11:57 PM
childrensequity.bsky.social
In 2023, over 3.3M kids under age 5 lived at or below the federal poverty line. #HeadStart (HS) plays a big role in reaching those children. This is especially true in rural areas where HS is the only or one of the only early learning centers.

Learn more: cep.asu.edu/resource...
October 31, 2025 at 12:06 AM
childrensequity.bsky.social
States are turning to legislation to expand #IECMHC—a powerful strategy proven to reduce suspensions, expulsions, & challenging behaviors in early learning. This brief scans 33 IECMHC-specific bills across 13 states & shows what’s working.

Learn more: cep.asu.edu/resource...
October 30, 2025 at 6:10 PM
childrensequity.bsky.social
🌍 The U.S. lags behind other nations in early education access—#HeadStart helps close the gap by serving 800,000 low-income children annually. A lapse in funding means thousands of these kids may lose services.

Learn more: cep.asu.edu/resource...

#EarlyLearningMatters
October 30, 2025 at 12:02 AM
childrensequity.bsky.social
Over the past decade, states have expanded #IECMHC—but many face major funding gaps, especially as federal supports are threatened. This new brief highlights how state legislation can create stable, high-quality, and accessible IECMHC systems.

Learn more: cep.asu.edu/resource...
October 29, 2025 at 6:46 PM
childrensequity.bsky.social
Since 1965, Head Start has served nearly 40M children nationwide—building a foundation in learning, health, & nutrition for children in every zip code across the nation. A lapse in funding means thousands lose #earlylearning opportunities.

Learn more: cep.asu.edu/resource...
October 29, 2025 at 1:42 PM
childrensequity.bsky.social
The CEP's Dr. Shantel Meek will join First Focus on Children at their Children’s Budget Summit 2025 on Thursday, 10/30, to unpack this year’s Children’s Budget.

Learn more and register now: lnkd.in/dhr95y7Z!
October 28, 2025 at 7:06 PM
childrensequity.bsky.social
Across the country, #IECMHC is helping young children thrive. Research shows IECMHC improves social-emotional skills, reduces challenging behaviors, and is linked to lower suspension and expulsion rates in early learning programs.

Learn more: cep.asu.edu/resource...
October 28, 2025 at 5:45 PM
childrensequity.bsky.social
🚀 The CEP's latest report provides an overview of the #IECMHC legislation landscape, including examples of the types of bills that states have passed, and common themes and trends.

Learn more: cep.asu.edu/resource...
October 28, 2025 at 3:22 AM
childrensequity.bsky.social
In an analysis of 10 states in 2018, Head Start programs represented ⅓ of ALL rural child care centers, and of those 10 states, 48 rural counties in them would have 0 child care options without Head Start.

Learn more: cep.asu.edu/resource...
October 27, 2025 at 10:28 PM
childrensequity.bsky.social
#OSEP helps #IDEA work for the more than 8 million #children & #youth it serves—funding states, monitoring compliance, collecting vital data, & supporting research.

Our new brief highlights how OSEP’s role safeguards children’s rights.

Learn more: cep.asu.edu/resource...
October 27, 2025 at 4:07 PM
childrensequity.bsky.social
#IDEA isn’t just education policy—it’s a #civilrights law. And civil rights laws require uniform application and enforcement.

Learn more about IDEA, how it's administered, and its impact on #students with #disabilities 👉 cep.asu.edu/resource...

#SpecialEducation #EdPolicy
October 25, 2025 at 1:05 AM
childrensequity.bsky.social
Hundreds of thousands of kids in low-income households rely on #HeadStart meals. From 2021–23, 17% of youth under 18 (12.1M) lived in food-insecure households & food insecurity in homes w kids under 6 rose from 16.7% in 2022 to 17.9% in 2023

Learn more: cep.asu.edu/resource...
October 24, 2025 at 6:58 PM
childrensequity.bsky.social
The CEP's Dr. Shantel Meek will join First Focus on Children at their Children’s Budget Summit 2025 on Thursday, 10/30, to unpack this year’s Children’s Budget.

Learn more and register now: lnkd.in/dhr95y7Z!
October 24, 2025 at 5:43 PM
childrensequity.bsky.social
In 2023:

👶30,677 infants/toddlers w disabilities were enrolled in #EarlyHeadStart w Individual Family Service Plans.

🎒 80,796 preschoolers receiving Part B, Section 619 #specialeducation services were enrolled in Head Start.

Learn more: cep.asu.edu/resource...
October 24, 2025 at 12:37 AM
childrensequity.bsky.social
Over $15b in federal dollars went to all 50 states/territories to support #earlyintervention & #specialeducation services for children/youth w disabilities last year. OSEP’s role in dispersing #IDEA services/funding is essential to our youth.

Learn more: cep.asu.edu/resource...
October 23, 2025 at 5:17 PM
childrensequity.bsky.social
A lapse in #HeadStart funding could impact thousands of children. Head Start has an especially big footprint in rural communities, where few - if any - other options for early learning & #childcare exist, widening the child care supply gap.

Learn more: cep.asu.edu/resource...
October 22, 2025 at 10:22 PM
childrensequity.bsky.social
Our latest report highlights #IDEA and the infrastructure needed to implement it, protecting the rights of students with #disabilities in #education.

Read it here 👉 cep.asu.edu/resource...

#SpecialEducation #OSEP #OSERS #Disability #EdPolicy
October 22, 2025 at 4:39 PM