IMPACTSTATS 2026 Early Childhood LEGISLATIVE AGENDA

ImpactSTATS is a nonpartisan research and evaluation organization that supports policymakers with applied data analysis, return-on-investment (ROI) modeling, and systems-level evaluation to strengthen early childhood outcomes and reduce administrative burden for families.

The Challenge
Frequent SNAP recertification requirements increase administrative burden, drive benefit churn, and disrupt consistent access to food for families with young children—particularly those with variable or seasonal income.

Policy Action

• Extend      SNAP certification periods from 6 months to 12 months, while      maintaining eligibility reporting requirements
• Invest      in data analysis to identify administrative churn and inequities in access

ImpactSTATS Value-Add
Policy-ready analysis of SNAP churn, family burden, and downstream impacts on early childhood health, nutrition, and caregiver stability.

The Challenge
Early childhood investments are often evaluated program-by-program rather than as interconnected systems, limiting policymakers’ ability to prioritize scalable, high-impact solutions.

Policy Action

• Incorporate      ROI-informed decision-making into early childhood funding      strategies
• Support      longitudinal data systems linking early childhood programs, workforce      participation, and family economic outcomes

ImpactSTATS Value-Add
Modernized ROI models that reflect family time, workforce participation, equity, and administrative efficiency.

The Challenge
Workforce shortages threaten access to child care and early learning, yet policy interventions are rarely evaluated in real time.

Policy Action

• Use      data to assess the effectiveness of wage supplements, incentives, and      subsidy policies
• Align      workforce investments with regional supply-and-demand data

ImpactSTATS Value-Add
Rapid-cycle evaluation and regional workforce analysis to guide effective policy design and implementation.

The Challenge
Families with young children must navigate multiple public systems with duplicative eligibility and recertification requirements, increasing burden and reducing program uptake.

Policy Action

• Support      cross-agency efforts to streamline enrollment and recertification
• Measure      family administrative burden as a core policy outcome

ImpactSTATS Value-Add
Systems analysis identifying policy reforms that improve access while maintaining program integrity and administrative efficiency.

The Challenge
High-quality research often fails to inform policy because it is not timely, accessible, or aligned with policymaker needs.

Policy Action

• Invest      in applied research partnerships that translate data into actionable      insights
• Support      evaluation models designed for legislative and agency use, not just      publication

ImpactSTATS Value-Add
Clear policy briefs, visuals, and decision tools that support legislative and agency decision-making.