Policy Bulletins Compile Evidence on Impact of Federal Human Service Programs

Policy

Policy Bulletins Compile Evidence on Impact of Federal Human Service Programs

Impact Areas

Child Welfare

August 2026: See new bulletin on the impact of housing supports on child well-being

Chapin Hall applies a unique blend of scientific research, real-world experience, and policy expertise to build actionable solutions for families. Elected officials and agency-level policymakers are key audiences that depend on Chapin Hall to provide quality, reliable evidence to inform their decisions.

These policy bulletins summarize key research findings about federal human service programs and their impact on child well-being. This collection began in 2025, as changes were proposed to numerous federal human service programs. These policy bulletins include:

	Access to Medicaid & Healthcare to Promote Child Safety This bulletin summarizes research findings about the link between Medicaid availability and substantiated child maltreatment. Studies show the connection between Medicaid expansion and reduced child neglect and abuse.
	Child Safety and Access to Food Assistance Programs This bulletin documents the role that food assistance programs play in safeguarding child well-being. Food assistance programs, such as SNAP and WIC, are associated with lower risk for child welfare system involvement.
	Access to Child Care & Early Childhood Education to Promote Child Safety This bulletin summarizes research that shows increased access to child care and early education programs is associated with higher earnings for parents and reduced risk for child welfare involvement.
	The Role of TANF in Economic Stability and Family Well-Being and Child Safety This bulletin explores the research on the effects of increasing or decreasing access to Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) on child and family well-being.
	Access to Housing Supports to Promote Child Safety, Prevent Child Welfare Involvement, & Increase Family Reunification This bulletin describes the research demonstrating that an array of housing supports protects against child maltreatment and child welfare system involvement.

For more about these bulletins, please contact Policy Fellow Yasmin Grewal-Kök. For the latest updates on newly released work from Chapin Hall, subscribe to the monthly ChapInsights newsletter.

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