A new report from PolicyLab at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia calls on policymakers to strengthen economic security for children and families through coordinated investments in health care, education, housing, and financial support programs.
Released in February 2026 in partnership with Maternity Care Coalition, the study reviews scientific evidence across ten major policy areas that researchers say can significantly improve family stability amid rising affordability concerns.
The report examines programs including Medicaid, food and nutrition assistance, housing support, early care and education, cash assistance for families, tax credits, paid family and medical leave, minimum wage increases, predictive scheduling policies, and diaper assistance.
Researchers found that expanding or implementing these policies together could strengthen economic mobility and long-term outcomes for children, particularly during prenatal development and early childhood.
“Investing in families from the prenatal period through early childhood can have a significant positive impact on children’s long-term health, educational outcomes, and economic stability,” said Dr. Meredith Matone, director of PolicyLab.
The report highlights growing concerns about intergenerational mobility in the United States. According to the findings, only about half of people born in the 1980s earn more than their parents, raising questions about the future economic security of today’s children.
Part of PolicyLab’s Evidence to Action series, the publication translates academic and community-based research into practical recommendations for lawmakers. While the report focuses primarily on Pennsylvania, researchers say the policy framework applies to states nationwide.
Rebecka Rosenquist, PolicyLab’s deputy director for policy and strategy, said the policies examined should be viewed as interconnected rather than standalone solutions.
“None of these policies exists in a vacuum,” she said. “If implemented together, they could help move the needle for kids and families.”
PolicyLab, founded in 2008 as part of the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute, focuses on improving child health outcomes through interdisciplinary research and policy analysis. The organization works with public systems and health care providers to translate research findings into real-world improvements for families.
Advocates say the report arrives at a critical moment as lawmakers debate strategies to address rising living costs, child poverty, and workforce challenges. The findings suggest that comprehensive policy approaches may be necessary to improve both immediate financial stability and long-term economic opportunity for the next generation.