safety net

When combined, government and community efforts to support the complex economic and health needs of families are stronger.

First 5 LA recently announced its new executive director, Karla Pleitéz Howell, will start the job in January.

This week, New Mexico voters approved a measure that will invest millions of dollars into public education, including dedicated funding for early education.

By Madison Hunt

Despite promising headwinds in "upstream" investments, New York’s safety net remains difficult and time-consuming to access and full of holes, writes Nora McCarthy.

On Friday, Los Angeles County will launch its Department of Youth Development, amid criticism that investment in community-based efforts to keep young people out of the justice system has been too limited.

California is trying to make its cash assistance program more flexible for low-income parents. Advocates say a federal rule is hindering that.

A California state senator wants to send no-strings-attached checks to homeless and low-income high school seniors.

After Kansas lawmakers rejected a bill to expand access for food assistance in the House, the Senate is now considering a bill that would limit access.