In 1992, Lauren and her husband Steve, of Mercerville, New Jersey, welcomed their daughter Stephanie to the family. They didn’t know it at the time, but they would become the textbook argument for paid family and medical leave, both in their home state and across the country. “Like most expectant…
Archives: Voices
Fact of the Week: 15.6 million American households were food insecure in 2016
An estimated 15.6 million American households were food insecure at least some time during the year in 2016, meaning they were not always able to provide enough food for all household members. This is the finding of the USDA’s annual report on food security in the U.S., released earlier today. The…
After Harvey: A self-inflicted fiscal disaster in Washington?
Editor’s note: The following op-ed by CHN Executive Director Deborah Weinstein was originally published by The Hill on September 4. Urge Congress to fix disasters, not inflict them, by emailing your representative and senators today. For all the background you need on Congress’ list of do’s and don’ts for September, click here….
Trump’s Decision on the Dreamers Coming Tuesday
While 800,000 young people and their families waited fearfully to see if the Trump Administration would turn their world upside down, White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said Friday that the President’s decision about the Deferred Action on Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program would be announced on Tuesday, Sept. 5. President…
‘It’s sad that we have to have this happen for us to come together’
The numbers are staggering: a death toll of 39, rising almost by the hour. Nearly 50,000 homes in Houston alone flooded and uninhabitable. 30 percent of Harris County submerged – an area that is equivalent in size to Chicago and New York City combined. 294,000 people without power, from Corpus…
22-day vigil to defend DACA
The dedicated activists stand steps away from the White House, with signs calling on Congress and the Trump administration to defend the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and the Temporary Protective Status (TPS) programs. When passersby stop and sign their petition, the volunteers cheer and celebrate. They know they…
Spending bills’ one-two punch to working families
When members of Congress return to D.C. after Labor Day, they’ll have a lot to do in a short time. At the top of Congress’s “must do” list is passing spending legislation to keep the government open after the new fiscal year starts on October 1. With only 12 days…
Using the new poverty, income and health insurance data: a practical guide
On September 12 and 14, the Census Bureau will release its annual poverty, income and health insurance survey data. That’s why on Thursday, September 7th, 3:00 – 4:30 pm ET, CHN will host a handy webinar to show you how to use the local, state, and national findings. You’ll get…
Children, Fear, and Dreams
Yesterday was the five-year anniversary of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program (DACA). Nearly 800,000 people who came to the U.S. as children have gained temporary legal status through DACA, if they met certain criteria, such as having lived continuously in the U.S. since June of 2007. DACA has…
Rethinking Workforce Training for Low-Income Moms
Editor’s note: This post was written by Carol Burnett, the founder and executive director of the Mississippi Low-Income Child Care Initiative, a nonprofit that has been a champion for affordable child care for low-income working parents since 1998. This post was originally published on the National Women’s Law Center blog…
Fact of the Week: House budget would cut programs for low- and middle-income people by more than one-third in 10 years
A new analysis from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities shows that the 2018 House GOP budget proposal would cut programs serving low- and moderate-income people by 36 percent in 2027 alone. In total, the budget blueprint would slash these programs by $2.9 trillion over a decade. The proposal,…
Faith Leaders Stand with Young Dreamers in Front of White House
On August 2, faith leaders, other advocates, and young people who have legal immigrant status as part of the DACA program gathered together in front of the White House. They were there to urge the President to maintain the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. DACA was instituted by…