Children's Equity Project

Want to keep up with the latest in early childhood research, data, and policy? ✨ Join the Children’s Equity Project email list! 🔔 Sign up: cep.asu.edu

Since 1964, Head Start has supported 40+ million children & families from low-income households. Research shows it works, supporting child development & learning, parent education, employment, opportunity, & more. Learn more: cep.asu.edu/resources/Adva…

In Plyler v. Doe, the Court rejected the idea that children should be excluded from school. New efforts to weaken that precedent risk long-term economic loss, workforce gaps, & higher public costs. Our upcoming report explains what’s at stake. Subscribe: cep.asu.edu

📊 Research shows that fear of deportation can lead to high stress in young kids. Studies cited in our report find increased anxiety, depression, & trauma-related behaviors among kids in immigrant families. 🔗 Read the full findings: cep.asu.edu/resources/Supp…

📊 In 2023, more than 1/4 of U.S. children lived in immigrant families, most born here in the U.S. When families face detention or deportation, children’s health, safety, & learning are deeply affected. Our brief explores these impacts. Learn more: cep.asu.edu/resources/Impa…

Family detention/separation is linked to mental health harm in kids. A study following separated families found nearly all kids met clinical criteria for PTSD, depression, or anxiety. These impacts don’t disappear when families are released. Learn more: cep.asu.edu/the-scars-of-f…

The CEP will be releasing a new report soon on the policy landscape impacting #unaccompaniedmigrantchildren. Stay tuned on social media and our website, and subscribe to our email list to be among the first to view. Learn more: cep.asu.edu #immigration

Research finds that #children in #communities affected by #deportations experience increased absenteeism, lower academic performance, higher grade retention, & a greater risk of school dropout. 📊 See what the research shows here: cep.asu.edu/resources/Impa…

When a parent is detained or deported, household income can fall by 45–70%, pushing hundreds of thousands of U.S.-citizen children into poverty and increasing food insecurity, housing instability, & worse health/educational outcomes for kids. Learn more: cep.asu.edu/resources/Impa…

📊 Research shows that fear of deportation & family separation can lead to high stress in young children—disrupting sleep, eating, behavior, & emotional regulation. 🔗 Read the full findings: cep.asu.edu/resources/Supp…

No amount of time in detention is safe for children. Since #familydetentionfacilities reopened last year, more than 3,800 children have been #detained. Many are being detained far longer than the law allows. Learn more in our latest report: cep.asu.edu/the-scars-of-f…

Family detention/separation is linked to #mentalhealth harm in kids, including anxiety, depression, PTSD, sleep disruption, & suicidal ideation. One study found that nearly all children met clinical criteria for PTSD, depression, or anxiety. Learn more: cep.asu.edu/the-scars-of-f…

Research finds that #kids in communities affected by #deportations experience increased absenteeism, lower academic performance, higher grade retention, & a greater risk of school dropout—even when their own families are not directly deported. Learn more: cep.asu.edu/resources/Impa…

#Familydetention is not safe for #kids. Many reports show inadequate medical care, confiscated medications, & untreated conditions in #familydetentionfacilities. Detention settings are not designed for kids & pose a risk to their health. Learn more: cep.asu.edu/the-scars-of-f…

#Familydetention & separation is linked to serious #mentalhealthharm in kids, including anxiety, depression, PTSD, sleep disruption, developmental regression, & suicidal ideation. This trauma persists for years, affecting long-term wellbeing. Learn more: cep.asu.edu/the-scars-of-f…

Data shows a steep jump in detained kids the past few months, & experts warn that detention environments w/ inadequate health, nutrition, & developmental supports, limited freedom, & separation from families can cause trauma & psychological harm. More: kjzz.org/the-show/2026-…

Last week, we held our annual CEP retreat where our team came together to strategically plan for 2026. We spent time together, strengthened bonds, and discussed how we’ll continue this crucial work moving forward for young learners nationwide. #ChildrensEquityProject

Kids in U.S. ICE custody jumped from 425 to 1,304 in just a few months — nearly 3x. This policy shift causes more children to experience trauma. More detention = more exposure to stress, health & psychological risk, & trauma for children. Learn more: kjzz.org/the-show/2026-…

Family detention is not required by any law. It is a choice. Detaining children in jail-like facilities for any amount of time poses a severe threat to children’s physical health, mental health, development, & wellbeing in the short/long term. Learn more: cep.asu.edu/the-scars-of-f…

Many other reports document inadequate medical care, confiscated medications, & untreated chronic conditions in family detention facilities. And tragically, since 2018, at least 12 children have died in US immigration custody. Learn more in our report: cep.asu.edu/the-scars-of-f…

Family detention & separation are linked to serious mental health harm in children. One study following separated families found that nearly all children met clinical criteria for PTSD, depression, or anxiety disorders. Learn more in our latest report: cep.asu.edu/the-scars-of-f…