Childhood obesity, adequate housing, healthcare, and the court system are family-related concerns that require thoughtful, timely consideration by public officials and practitioners. The Child and Family Policy Initiative is committed to improving governance and public policy in this arena by identifying the most significant challenges affecting it and providing leadership in addressing them through data-driven research, policy analysis, training, and assistance.

Coordinated by the Vinson Institute, the initiative brings together expertise across various units at the University of Georgia: The Fanning Institute, School of Social Work, College of Family and Consumer Sciences, College of Education, and the College of Public Health. The setting of collaboration allows for the sharing of cutting-edge research and innovative strategies that can be brought to bear on real-life problems and issues.