Children and Families

Governors and state leaders play a critical role in the protection and support of vulnerable children, families, and individuals. The Children and Families team provides timely and individualized state-focused technical assistance to governors, their human services policy advisors, and state agency leadership, so they can improve policies and systems that will allow children, families, and communities to reach their full potential. With an emphasis on helping states develop equitable opportunities and support for all communities, the Children and Families team aids and enables governors to advance and fulfill their vision for the children and families. Issue areas include child welfare, economic mobility, housing, juvenile justice, child care, and poverty alleviation.

Our Focus Areas

  • Whole-family Approaches to Serving Children and Families
  • Early Childhood Education and Care
  • Juvenile Justice
  • Human Services Data and Delivery Systems
  • Housing and Homelessness
  • Food Insecurity and Hunger
  • Family Economic Security
  • Anti-Poverty Solutions
  • Foster Care, Kinship Care, and Adoption
  • Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment
  • Empowering Families and Communities
  • Reducing Barriers to Opportunity and Equity

Meet The Team

  • Jordan Hynes
    Program Director
  • Jess Kirchner
    Policy Analyst

Children and Families Library

National Governors Association Welcomes 10 States to Join Children and Families Core Advisory Board

National Governors Association Welcomes 10 States to Join Children and Families Core Advisory Board

The National Governors Association today announced its new Children and Families Core Advisory Board members for 2022. Each year, a small group of governors’ human services policy advisors and agency ...
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2021 Child and Family Well-Being Governors’ Summit

2021 Child and Family Well-Being Governors’ Summit

The 2021 Child and Family Well-Being Governors’ Summit featured State presentations and a panel of Governors’ Policy Advisors on Governors’ plans and priorities to holistically improve the lives of children ...
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State Innovation for Strengthening Families

State Innovation for Strengthening Families

Governors have developed ambitious initiatives to improve the lives of children and families. by Isabella Cuneo Governing a state is a bit like flying an airplane: You must know how ...
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SNAP E&T Action Lab

SNAP E&T Action Lab

This Action Lab focused on leveraging Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Employment and Training (SNAP E&T) to expand access to and support student success in education and training programs that lead ...
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Case Study: California's ACEs Aware Initiative

Case Study: California’s ACEs Aware Initiative

California’s ACEs Aware initiative takes an innovative, evidence-based approach to addressing adverse childhood experiences and toxic stress by educating and training health care providers who are directly interacting with the ...
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Promising Practices to Reduce Maternal Mortality in New Jersey

Promising Practices to Reduce Maternal Mortality in New Jersey

Nurture NJ is an umbrella that breaks down silos between stakeholders, bringing them together to tackle issues related to maternal and child health. (View/Download) Background According to the Centers for ...
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8 States Join Learning Network Supporting Child and Family Well-Being Throughout the Pandemic

8 States Join Learning Network Supporting Child and Family Well-Being Throughout the Pandemic

As families and communities face continued uncertainty due to the COVID-19 pandemic, eight states have joined a network that will bring together Governors’ offices, child welfare leaders, state human services ...
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NGA and NASWA Letter to Secretary of Labor Regarding Unemployment Insurance Fraud

NGA and NASWA Letter to Secretary of Labor Regarding Unemployment Insurance Fraud

The Honorable Marty WalshU.S. Secretary of LaborU.S. Department of Labor200 Constitution Avenue NWWashington, D.C. 20210 Dear Secretary Walsh: Congratulations on your nomination and confirmation as U.S. Secretary of Labor. Governors ...
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Case Study: Building Strong Brains Tennessee

Case Study: Building Strong Brains Tennessee

The COVID-19 pandemic may be increasing Adverse Childhood Experiences and trauma and demonstrates the importance of responding to them at the state level. (View/Download) Executive Summary Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) ...
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New Relief Coming From Washington – What Does This Mean For Rental and Utility Assistance?

New Relief Coming From Washington – What Does This Mean For Rental and Utility Assistance?

Through the new Emergency Rental Assistance Program, Governors and local officials are providing emergency rental and utility assistance for effected individuals and families. by Jordan Hynes and Michael Bonino-Britsch Throughout ...
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Child Care for School-Aged Children

Child Care for School-Aged Children

The need for child care for both young and school age children, who are learning from home during the day while adults work, has thus expanded to more families and ...
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Human Services Policy Advisors Institute: 2020 Virtual Series

Human Services Policy Advisors Institute: 2020 Virtual Series

The policy institute will provide an opportunity for attendees to learn about the factors that are shaping human services work in the U.S., along with showcasing innovative approaches to addressing ...
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