Portraits of hunger: Stories of Americans on food stamps

The number jumps out at you:  More than 46 million Americans — one in seven of us — gets help from the federal government to feed ourselves and our families. The “food stamp” program — they’re not stamps anymore, by the way — has been hailed as a key element of the safety net. But a number of the Republican presidential candidates say the president’s support for food stamps and other social programs only promotes dependency.  We actually think work is good,” Newt Gingrich has said. “We actually think saying to somebody, ‘I’ll help you if you’re willing to help yourself,’ is good.”

If you’re surprised at how many Americans receive help in buying food, you may be even more surprised who they are. As it turns out, millions of Americans with jobs also need the help.  

Click here to watch PBS' Portraits of hunger: Stories of Americans on food stamps.

When the Bough Breaks: The Effects of Homelessness on Young Children

Homelessness among families has increased considerably in recent years. Child Trends' latest brief, When the Bough Breaks: The Effects of Homelessness on Young Children, highlights the potential for homelessness to hinder child development.  According to the National Center on Family Homelessness, about 1.6 million children were homeless annually in America between 2006 and 2010.  Children without stables homes are more likely to than others to repeat a school grade, be expelled or drop out of high school. Homeless preschoolers are more likely to have a major developmental delay, and have higher rates of internalizing and externalizing behaviors than their peers. To reduce the presence of these behaviors, and improve outcomes for homeless children, access to high-quality child care and early education is essential. This brief concludes with several policy recommendations that could help mitigate negative outcomes. Click here to read more.