Publications


The State of Working Connecticut – 2026: Rising Unemployment, Higher Prices, and Federal Cuts to Public Benefits

Connecticut Voices for Children released a new report, The State of Working Connecticut – 2026: Rising Unemployment, Higher Prices, and Federal Cuts to Public Benefits. This year’s annual SOWC finds that three new problems—rising unemployment, higher prices, and major federal cuts to public benefits—are compounding Connecticut’s longstanding economic challenges. The report examines how these new and long-term […]

Read More

2026 Candidate Briefing Book

Authors: Carmen N. Clarkin, MPH; Patrick R. O’Brien, Ph.D.; Emily Knox, Ph.D.; Emily Byrne, M.P.A.; Ruchi Sheth, M.A.; Nick Teeling; Eli Sabin, J.D.; Casey Wells, MPH; Daniel Parker, M.P.A; Meihan (Megan) Lu, MPH

Downloads: Download #1

Connecticut Voices for Children released a new report titled, “2026 Candidate Briefing Book.” Designed to provide a snapshot of helpful research and data for Connecticut residents and candidates running for political office this election cycle, this document extends the issues undergirding our broad vision toward economic justice and our specific aim of advancing family economic […]

Read More

The 2025 State of Early Childhood: A System in Transition

November 17th, 2025 • .
Authors: Ruchi Sheth, M.A.; Emily Knox, Ph.D.

Downloads: Download #1 Download #2 Download #3

Connecticut Voices for Children released a new report, The 2025 State of Early Childhood: A System in Transition. The report includes new data, highlights key legislative changes from the 2025 session, and outlines recommendations to help Connecticut build a stronger, more equitable early care and education system by pairing new investments with broader policies that […]

Read More

2025 State of Working Connecticut

Authors: Patrick R. O'Brien, Ph.D.

Downloads: Download #1 Download #2

Connecticut Voices for Children released a new report, 2025 State of Working Connecticut: Increasing the Labor Force and Job Growth by Making Wages Fairer. The report reveals that Connecticut continues to lag behind the nation in job growth, a trend driven largely by stagnant or declining real wages, persistent wage inequality, and structural barriers to work, […]

Read More

2025 Legislative Summary

Authors: Carmen Clarkin, M.P.H.; Emily Byrne, M.P.A.; Patrick R. O’Brien, Ph.D.; Emily Knox, Ph.D.; Nick Teeling; Ruchi Sheth, M.A.; Eli Sabin; Betsy Yagla.

Downloads: Download #1

Connecticut Voices for Children released a new report, “2025 Legislative Summary.” The document provides a high-level review of many of the bills our organization supported this session. Typically our budget year document is more comprehensive. However, this year is unusual in that our team was (and continues to be) deeply engaging in both the state […]

Read More

The Economic and Fiscal Impacts of Mass Deportation: What’s at Risk in Connecticut

Authors: David Dyssegaard Kallick; Shamier Settle, MSc.; Emily Byrne, MPA

Downloads: Download #1

Connecticut Voices for Children and the Immigration Research Initiative (IRI) released a new report titled, “The Economic and Fiscal Impacts of Mass Deportation: What’s at Risk in Connecticut,” which reveals the staggering economic costs and labor market disruption that would result from the mass deportation of immigrants in Connecticut—particularly those without documentation. Click HERE for more information […]

Read More

MOUs Across Connecticut: Crafting Memorandums of Understanding between Law Enforcement Agencies and Regional and Local Boards of Education that Center the Needs of Connecticut Children and Communities

November 20th, 2024 • , .
Authors: Lauren Ruth, Ph.D.

Downloads: Download #1 Download #2 Download #3 Download #4

Connecticut Voices for Children released a new report titled, “MOUs Across Connecticut: Crafting Memorandums of Understanding between Law Enforcement Agencies and Regional and Local Boards of Education that Center the Needs of Connecticut Children and Communities.” This comprehensive analysis highlights the strengths and critical gaps in School Resource Officer (SRO) Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) across […]

Read More

Poverty in the U.S. and Connecticut, 2019-2023

Authors: Patrick R. O'Brien, Ph.D.

Downloads: Download #1 Download #2

Connecticut Voices for Children released a new report titled, “Poverty in the U.S. and Connecticut, 2019-2023,” which offers an in-depth analysis of poverty data, highlights gaps in state-level information, and presents policy solutions to reduce poverty, particularly for children.

Read More

The State of Working Connecticut 2024

September 10th, 2024 • , .
Authors: Patrick R. O'Brien, Ph.D.

Downloads: Download #1 Download #2

Connecticut Voices for Children released a new report titled, “The State of Working Connecticut 2024,” which provides a comprehensive overview of the state’s economy, focusing on job growth, wage dynamics, and policy options to improve economic outcomes, especially for low- and middle-wage workers.

Read More

2024 Candidate Briefing Book

Authors: Carmen N. Clarkin, MPH, Research & Policy Associate; Patrick R. O’Brien, Ph.D. Research & Policy Director; Lauren Ruth, Ph.D. Research & Policy Director; Emily Byrne M.P.A. Executive Director; Nick Teeling, Advocacy Deputy Director; Eli Sabin, Legislative Coordinator; Carla B Abdo-Katsipis, Ph.D. Research & Policy Fellow; Rachel Diaz, MPH, Health Policy Intern; and Samaila Adelaiye, Ph.D. Research & Policy Fellow with Partnership for Strong Communities

Downloads: Download #1

Connecticut Voices for Children released a new report titled, “2024 Candidate Briefing Book.” Designed to provide a snapshot of helpful research and data for Connecticut residents and candidates running for political office this election cycle, this document extends the issues undergirding our broad vision toward economic justice and our specific aim of eradicating child poverty […]

Read More