HEALTHY CHILDREN & FAMILIES

We must begin all of our efforts to transform systems and policies grounded in the question: What is best for children and families? Prioritizing the wellbeing of families and creating a social contract that recognizes people for more than their workforce productivity can help build toward an inclusive economy. Through this kind of transformational change, we can create a brighter future that lifts all children and families. 

A Transformational Vision

At RWJF, we are working to include all families in the economy now and for generations to come. With many allies and partners, we are working toward a new vision—economic inclusion—that prioritizes and serves families. Economic inclusion means overcoming the legacy that undervalues caregivers. It means creating a new social contract that acknowledges our interdependence and recognizes that all families are deserving of wellbeing. That will require institutions to recognize their own responsibility to support the caregivers who are raising the next generation, and to eliminate the structural and systemic barriers that have long excluded and marginalized some families.

A Glimpse at What's Possible

The COVID-19 pandemic shined new light on the links between health and wellbeing, economic security, and structural racism, illuminating cracks in our political and economic systems in ways our nation can no longer ignore. While far from perfect, the collective policy response showed that we can adopt policies that will improve public health, support economic stability, and advance inclusion.

Reshaping the Tax System

 

Several diverse families emerge from a convoluted maze and approach a simplified tax system of the future.

Blog Post

Reimagining the Tax System to Strengthen Family Wellbeing

Elaine Maag, one of the nation’s foremost experts on tax and fiscal policy, shares strategies to transform our federal tax system to help all families thrive.

5-min read

Economic Inclusion for Family Wellbeing Policy and Law Structural Racism

How the Federal Income Tax System Can Worsen Racial Disparities

Funded by RWJF, this data interactive from the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center highlights how some federal income tax policies and audit practices exacerbate inequities in wealth and income.

Explore the interactive

Spotlight: Every Family Forward

Through our project Every Family Forward, RWJF periodically hosts public conversations examining how we can change policies and systems to help all families thrive. Two recent conversations examined how to make equitable shifts to the tax system.

A mother calculating her taxes with a toddler on her lap.

Reshaping the Tax System to Support Family Wellbeing, Part 1

Play the video
A pregnant woman and her husband preparing their taxes.

Reshaping the Tax System to Support Family Wellbeing, Part 2

Play the video
Visit EFF's website

Related Content

A family shares a meal together.

Brief

Guaranteed Income: An Unconditional Investment in Children and Families

This research highlights evidence from programs that provide unconditional, recurring payments and policy recommendations to scale and sustain guaranteed income.

1-min read

Economic Inclusion for Family Wellbeing Policy and Law
A mother and child shopping in a small food store.

Many Adults with Lower Income Prefer Monthly Child Tax Credit Payments

Read the brief
Mom with children in protective masks choose fruits to buy in the store.

Four Reasons the Expanded Child Tax Credit Should Be Permanent

Read the blog post
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Why Building Black Wealth is Key to Health Equity

Read the blog post

Related News and Insights

Read expert perspectives and the latest research from RWJF to explore the opportunities and complexities of this topic.

Blog Post
People marching against hospital segragation.

Three Lessons for Advancing Equity in Challenging Times

We must preserve the progress those before us achieved and stand firm in our belief that health should not be a privilege for some, but a right for all.

5-min read

Healthcare Coverage and Access Policy and Law Structural Racism
Brief
A family shares a meal together.

Guaranteed Income: An Unconditional Investment in Children and Families

This research highlights evidence from programs that provide unconditional, recurring payments and policy recommendations to scale and sustain guaranteed income.

1-min read

Economic Inclusion for Family Wellbeing Policy and Law
Brief
A mother shops for produce with her son.

SNAP Boosts the Economy, Reduces Hunger, and Improves Health

Congress’ plan to cut SNAP would jeopardize the health, education, and future of millions of children and families. Expanding on recent improvements to SNAP, rather than rolling them back, would help families thrive.

1-min read

Economic Inclusion for Family Wellbeing Policy and Law Nutrition
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