The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences - Social Sciences
The Children's Equity Project
The Children's Equity Project
Learn more about your impact
The Children’s Equity Project, housed within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Arizona State University, is a national child policy center committed to giving every child a fair chance to thrive. Working with more than 40 researchers at over a dozen universities across the U.S., the CEP operates at the intersection of research, policy and practice to strengthen the systems that shape children’s lives — from early learning and education to health, mental health, child welfare and immigration. By combining rigorous data analysis, developmental science and policy expertise, the CEP uncovers where systems fall short, develops practical solutions and equips decision-makers at every level of government to create meaningful change.
When we talk about the opportunity gap, it’s not a gap in skills or potential — It’s a gap in the systems or opportunities that kids have access to. So, if we got rid of those gaps in opportunity and everyone had opportunity, resources and positive experiences, then we wouldn’t have an achievement gap. It’s a shift in focus from the child to the system. Our kids aren’t broken; our systems are broken. So, honing in on how we can improve the system and distribute opportunity equitably is where the focus needs to be.”
Impact of donor support
Philanthropy has been the engine behind much of the CEP’s progress—fueling the publication of more than 50 policy reports, expanding a national coalition of researchers and partners, and shaping conversations on children’s wellbeing at the highest levels of government. Donor support has ensured that children are centered in policy rooms where their needs have too often been overlooked. With that support, the CEP has used data and research to inform decision-makers across the country, including members of Congress, federal agencies, state leaders, and local officials.
Looking forward, continued support will:
- Deliver new, actionable research and resources for policymakers at this critical juncture in the U.S. policy context.
- Continue to bridge opportunity gaps for children and families by connecting more leaders at every level of government with the tools they need to make research-driven decisions.
- Accelerate rapid-response policy efforts, ensuring children’s well-being is prioritized wherever it is at risk.
- Forge new partnerships to ask bigger questions, expand solutions, and maximize impact.
With your support, the CEP will keep advancing toward a future where all children—regardless of race, place, income, or circumstance—have the opportunities and conditions they need to thrive.
