Child Trends researchers focus on understanding how early childhood experiences set the stage for children’s development and well-being, with expertise in early learning and care settings, family supports, maltreatment prevention, home visiting, child welfare, the early childhood workforce, trauma informed care, and maternal and child health. Child Trends embeds equity into each decision it makes to address the systemic, discriminatory structures that negatively impact children of color. The organization’s work is built on the principle that programs and policies that serve children are most effective when they are informed by data and evidence and grounded in deep knowledge of child and youth development.
State allies can call on Child Trends to:
Child Trends leads the Early Childhood Data Collaborative (ECDC), which helps policymakers, advocates, and state leaders build and use early childhood data systems that promote equity and better outcomes for young children and families. ECDC supports partners in setting clear goals, identifying priority questions, and connecting data across early learning, health, and family support systems to guide policy and funding decisions. Using a systems approach, our team works with state and national partners to improve how early childhood data are collected and used, address barriers to equity, and strengthen the ability of advocates to interpret and share data in ways that drive meaningful change.
When framed effectively, equity-focused data can help make a powerful case for effective early childhood policy. Child Trends’ provide expertise on the collection, communication, and application of research and data around early childhood policy issues, such as early childhood system responses to COVID-19 , implementation and use of CCBDG funds, pre-K data and evaluations, child care quality, workforce needs, young children with disabilities, young children who have experienced abuse or neglect, and dual-language learners. Support includes input on research approaches (such as understanding when and how to survey providers and parents on their needs) or help interpreting current research.
Child Trends provides technical assistance to states and communities to strengthen equitable access to early childhood programs and services—including early care and education, early intervention, home visiting, and prenatal care coordination. Using a family-centered definition of access developed with national researchers and policymakers, we help leaders define, measure, and assess access from a family’s perspective. Our team supports states in using data to track and evaluate access and availability, identify inequities, and align strategies with family needs. Through tailored coaching, data analysis, and planning support, we help partners interpret findings, develop actionable solutions, and create clear, data-informed plans to improve equitable access and outcomes for children and families.
Child Trends offers extensive expertise at the intersection of housing and early childhood systems. Our work focuses on identifying and addressing the challenges families experiencing homelessness or housing instability face in accessing early care and education (ECE) programs and services.
Through applied research, evaluation, and technical assistance, Child Trends helps state and community leaders (1) understand how housing instability affects young children’s participation in ECE, (2) examine family experiences navigating housing and early learning systems, and (3) develop effective strategies for strengthening coordination across ECE and housing sectors.
By combining rigorous research with practical, field-informed guidance, Child Trends helps partners design and implement solutions that expand access to high quality early learning environments that foster stability and support the healthy development of young children.
Child Trends experts can develop policy-relevant technical assistance tailored to support state advocacy needs, for example fact sheets, blogs, and presentations that elevate research and data that are relevant to early childhood advocates.
On the Ground:
