In early 2019, the Roundtable fielded a survey of funders to explore children and family policy priorities and strategies. The results provide insight into some of the ideas most on the minds of funders. We are releasing results in a perioidc blog post.
Policy Opportunities Survey Results — Issue Areas
Of the more than 30 funders completing the survey, issue areas with the greatest focus include:
- Early childhood education (76.2%)
- Youth development (71.4%)
- Workforce development (71.4%)
- Mental health support and access (57.1%)
- Immigrant and refugee families (57.1%)
- K-12 education (52.4%)
What does this tell us? There is significant interest in a range of systems that touch children and families — early education, workforce, mental health, education, etc.
Interestingly, some of the most pressing issues received less of a priority focus among respondents:
- Effects of the opioid crisis (0.0%)
- Gun safety (4.8%)
- Physical health support and access, including Medicaid and other public insurance programs (23.8%)
- Nutrition support, hunger, and food insecurity (23.8%)