Policy Matters 2008 -- State Policy Data Report

Twenty State Policies to Create Bright Futures for America's Children, Families and Communities

The Policy Matters project identifies evidence-based state policy that improves opportunities for children and families.  The state policy data report identifies key policy measures in the areas of employment, asset building, health, education, and family relationships, and presents 50-state data for each policy measure.  This report also tracks recent changes in policy.

By providing these data, Policy Matters can help policymakers, advocates, and researchers:

• Identify opportunities for additional policy change within states;
• Compare policy and policy changes across states; and
• Examine trends by policy area.

This data book builds on the information presented in previous versions.  Where new data were not available for the current report, data from earlier versions have been reprinted.