2023 Legislative Agenda
January 2023
NC Child's 2023 Legislative Agenda is leading with four policy priorities that build family economic security, and safeguard youth mental health.
NC Child produces publications that document trends in child well-being and the impact of public policy decisions on children and families.
NC Child's 2023 Legislative Agenda is leading with four policy priorities that build family economic security, and safeguard youth mental health.
Every year, tens of thousands of young children from low-income families benefit from North Carolina's early learning and care programs. This system supports the care, education, and healthy development of children living in poverty, prioritizing parental choice and children's individual needs. Unfortunately, due to funding rates & levels, the programs only reach a fraction of eligible children—putting child care and early learning out of reach for thousands of families who want to work and support their children. Learn about the various early care and learning programs that serve kids and families.
This tool empowers NC Child Child Advocacy Network (CAN) members by affording a greater understanding of the NC General Assembly, the legislative process, and the power brokers on Jones Street. Use these modules to educate yourself as an advocate in the civic engagement process on behalf of North Carolina children and their communities.
The EarlyWell Initiative is dedicated to identifying and advocating for solutions that build a working system to support all children’s mental health and development and allows them to thrive.
This report is designed to organize and categorize the problems and solutions identified by families and stakeholders over the last two years - building on our first report, "Lean In and Listen Up to Family Voices: A New Report to Strengthen Early Childhood Services."
When every child in North Carolina has the opportunity to thrive, we all benefit. As we look back at our impact in 2021, we are so grateful that you joined us as a voice for children in North Carolina.
Parents need choices for child care. Across the state, parents face a shortage of quality child care, which has been made worse by the pandemic. Increasing the subsidy rates to the 2018 statewide average rates can help child care centers stay open, or reopen, to serve more children & families who need care to go to work.
Newly available data from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services about children and pregnant adults enrolled in the state’s Medicaid program uncover the increased barriers to oral health care faced by people of color and people in rural parts of the state.
More than 1 in 5 children in North Carolina have special health care needs – including chronic physical, developmental, behavioral, and emotional conditions. For many parents, grandparents, and foster parents, caring for a child with special health care needs can be a full-time job. Unfortunately, that job is one that does not usually involve a salary or health benefits.
This issue brief from NC Child explores the role that affordable health insurance could play in supporting families of children with special health care needs.
2020 was one of the toughest years for kids and families in recent history. Thanks to your support, NC Child pivoted quickly to focus on urgent and emerging needs. And your feedback continues to guide our policy priorities and legislative agenda. Here's an update on that important work.