Using Evidence to Implement Provisions of the American Families Plan

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The Biden administration’s recently launched American Families Plan provides deep investments in nutrition, family, education, and other programs that aim to lift children out of poverty and help families build a better future. The American Families Plan follows the American Rescue Plan, which provides economic relief to families and businesses impacted by COVID-19, and the American Jobs Plan, which aims to improve networks and systems such as the electric grid. All these investments emphasize the importance of using research and evidence to get Americans back to work, safely reopen schools, and reduce child poverty.

At Mathematica, we believe that data and evidence must guide decisions at all levels of government. As the Biden administration looks beyond its first 100 days in office, we offer the following resources for using evidence to implement provisions of the American Families Plan.

Lift children out of poverty.

With additional investments in early childhood programming, including universal preschool, the American Families Plan aims to prioritize children’s healthy growth and development. Our work explores topics such as building more equitable child welfare systems; expanding availability of and enrollment in early childhood programs; and providing more resources, including professional development opportunities, for those who care for children.

Early care and education

Child welfare

Building Community-Based Child Welfare Systems That Promote Justice and Equity (commentary)
Child Welfare Agencies Need to Leverage Data During COVID-19 Crisis (commentary)

Professional development

Policy experts: Louisa Tarullo, Shannon Monahan, Matthew Stagner, Cleo Jacobs Johnson, Roseana Bess

Make college affordable for everyone.

The American Families Plan invests in postsecondary education, with an emphasis on making college more affordable for students with low and middle incomes at institutions that serve underrepresented groups. Mathematica’s work sheds light on a range of programs geared toward helping more students participate in higher education.

Expanding access to college

Using data to make decisions

Policy experts: Naihobe Gonzalez, Lindsay Fox, Alina Martinez

Recruit and train teachers and diversify the teaching community.

The American Families Plan proposes a significant investment to recruit and train teachers, and diversify the teaching workforce. To help teachers and students succeed, Mathematica’s work provides evidence about which programs and policies may help recruit and retain a strong education workforce.

Policy experts:Mariesa Hermann, Jill Constantine, Brian Gill

Expand access to nutrition programs and reduce food insecurity.

The American Families Plan not only expands the Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer for Children program, which provides meals outside of school during the summer, it also reserves funds to provide more school meals during school hours. Mathematica’s work informs the development of nutrition policy, helping stakeholders understand how changes in policy could affect participation, costs, food security, and nutritional quality.

Did Responses to the Pandemic Improve Federal Efforts to Feed Children? (commentary)
Feeding Children is Important Year-Round, Especially in this Uncertain Summer (commentary)
Nutrients Special Issue Digs into the Data on School Meals (article)
Serving SNAP Participants During COVID-19: Voices from the Field (webinar)

Policy experts: Karen Cunnyngham, Rachel Frisk, Mary Kay Fox, Elizabeth Gearan

Let’s Progress Together

For more information about these resources or to schedule a meeting with one or more of our experts, please contact info@mathematica-mpr.com.