Center for the Study of Social Policy

Progress Report on South Carolina Department of Social Services’ Foster Care Efforts

This report summarizes the progress of the South Carolina Department of Social Services in meeting the requirements of the Final Settlement Agreement reached in Michelle H. v. McMaster and Catone. The progress report highlights South Carolina’s mutual agreement to improve the experiences and outcomes of over 3,000 children in foster care across the state.

Celebrating Black History Month: A Call to Action in the Face of Persistent Challenges

As we reflect on Black History Month this year, CSSP is focusing on the ever-present need to combat the erasure of Black stories and celebrate the vast contributions of Black people in our nation’s history. Learn about how we’re leveraging our voices and power to fight against policies that contradict the values of equality, justice, and fairness in our latest blog.

Protecting Young People, Families, and Communities and Building a Healthy Democracy

As the Trump administration deliberately sows chaos and confusion in its first days in office, we must all recognize the challenge before us and mobilize to overcome it together. CSSP is committed to building a future where all young people, families, and communities can thrive despite the obstacles ahead. Read more about our vision, and we invite you to join us in the fight to make this vision a reality.

A Call to Action: Five Priorities to Advance Justice in 2025

Now more than ever, we must continue to advance our shared vision of a society that truly has health justice, economic justice, and family autonomy, so that all families can lead happy and healthy lives. Learn more about CSSP’s call to action for 2025 in this blog from President Leonard Burton.

Young People Deserve Good Health Care

Part of promoting young people’s future happiness, health, and dignity is providing health care that recognizes all aspects of their evolving identities. Learn more in our blog from CSSP Senior Policy Analyst Esi Hutchful.

I Just Want to Be a Father

This brief spotlights systemic barriers faced by fathers who are themselves youth in New York City’s foster care system or who co-parent with a young parent in foster care when they try to exercise their rights to be with their children.

Manifesto for Race Equity and Parent Leadership in Early Childhood Systems

Created by parents for parents, the brand-new parent edition of the Manifesto for Race Equity & Parent Leadership in Early Childhood Systems is a new version of the original Manifesto, released in 2019. It provides a platform for parents to address inequities and racism in early childhood agencies and systems through building awareness, advocating, and organizing.

Learn More

Designed By and With Families

Cultural identity is a source of strength, especially for people of color and others who have been marginalized. Services are therefore more effective when they are culturally tailored. Learn more about Five for 2025: CSSP’s Policy Priorities to Champion Economic Justice, Health Justice, and Family Autonomy.

Progress Report on South Carolina Department of Social Services’ Foster Care Efforts

Celebrating Black History Month: A Call to Action in the Face of Persistent Challenges

Protecting Young People, Families, and Communities and Building a Healthy Democracy

A Call to Action: Five Priorities to Advance Justice in 2025

Young People Deserve Good Health Care

I Just Want to Be a Father

Manifesto for Race Equity and Parent Leadership in Early Childhood Systems

Learn More

Designed By and With Families

Who We Are

The Center for the Study of Social Policy works to achieve a racially, economically, and socially just society in which all children, youth, and families thrive. We translate ideas into action, promote public policies grounded in equity, and support strong and inclusive communities. We advocate with and for all children, youth, and families marginalized by public policies and institutional practices.

Learn more.

Our Approach

Systems Change

We draw on the latest research and work to make systems more responsive, accountable, and rooted in policies that ensure equity and inclusion for all children, youth, families, and communities.

Community Outreach

We believe in the power of communities to shape their futures. We work with communities across the country and with local systems to impact policy and systems change.

Policy

We work to influence public policy to create opportunity, advance equity, achieve impact, and scale results. We fight against inequitable policy proposals and promote policies that ensure equity and inclusion.

How We Catalyze Change

Featured Projects

Strengthening Families

Strengthening Families is a research-informed approach to increase family strengths, enhance child development, and reduce the likelihood of child abuse and neglect. It is based on engaging families, programs, and communities in building five key protective factors.

Learn More