Supporting Parents

When parents have the support they need, outcomes for children improve.

  • Home Visiting pilot program for vulnerable families – We continue to support this program as it launches in both urban and rural counties. Home visits help vulnerable families with children under 8 by offering parenting mentors, connecting them to essential services, and ensuring children receive the Ages & Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) to assess developmental milestones.
  • High-quality care for children – Whether parents choose to work full-time or have a stay-at-home parent, it’s critical for children to have high-quality care. We advocate for expanding the child tax credit for children 0-4, reducing government regulations that hinder daycare facilities, and assisting low-income working parents in applying for childcare stipends through the Department of Workforce Service.
  • Family-friendly workforce policies – Encourage Utah businesses to adopt family-friendly policies to retain workers and provide a better work/life balance. Parental leave, flexible schedules, and childcare options should be considered. More part-time professional options are needed for parents, specifically in education. Those who have taken a break from the traditional workforce can receive help through the Return Utah program.
  • Task Force on the Wellbeing of Men and Boys – Find policy and community solutions that help Utah's men and boys lead flourishing lives. Through collaboration with community leaders and evaluation of research and evidence, the task force educates the public and recommends policy solutions to the Governor and State Legislature to improve mental and physical health, enhance vocational opportunities, and strengthen the sense of purpose for Utah's men and boys.
  • Increase financial stability of individuals transitioning off public assistance – Recipients of government benefits often feel uncertainty as they navigate the transition from benefits to work, unsure how a raise or promotion may negatively impact their family’s finances. Our goal is to have work participants feel empowered to take new opportunities and become more stable after leaving government benefits. We will gather detailed evidence of the nature and scope of what those on government assistance experience as barriers or disincentives to upward mobility. We will use this information to identify improvements to government programs.