September/October 2015Vol. 16, No. 7Benefits to Families in the FY 2016 Federal Budget

In the release of his proposed Federal budget for fiscal year (FY) 2016, President Obama included funding for programs that could potentially have a significant benefit for positive development of children, youth, and families and the communities in which they live. A new policy brief from the Center for the Study of Social Policy, Aligning Resources and Results: Increasing Equity Through the Budget, provides an overview of the budget provisions that have the most potential to support struggling families and communities.

The brief discusses how the programs proposed in the new budget could provide an opportunity for State policymakers and community members to work together to promote child and family well-being and reduce equity gaps in outcomes. For example, at the community level, the proposal introduces the Upward Mobility Project, a new initiative that will provide up to 10 communities with the opportunity to redirect funds from four existing Federal programs to support programs and resources that local policymakers have determined will meet the specific needs of its residents. Other budget proposals include substantial new investments in preschool and early child care, tax credits to boost income support for working families, support for English-language learners, creating a pathway to college, and expanded workforce development opportunities.

The publication also provides a summary of the dollar amounts being proposed for Federal programs that will benefit children, youth, families, and communities. Of particular note is the $11.9 billion allocated to the Department of Health and Human Services for a wide range of children and family services programs, including priority investments in early learning. This includes the following specific budget items:

• $23 million for family violence prevention and services
• $15 million for comprehensive services to youth in the child welfare system who are victims of, or at risk of, human trafficking
• $9 million to improve services for homeless youth
• $5 million for child protection investigations

This publication is available from the Center for the Study of Social Policy website at http://www.cssp.org/policy/Aligning-Resources-and-Results-Increasing-Equity-Through-the-Budget.pdf (1 MB).