Our Priorities
Families in Virginia are financially secure and able to provide a healthy life for their young people.
Economic hardship impacts every aspect of a young person’s life—determining whether they have access to food, housing, health care, child care, and transportation. As pandemic-era supports such as the expanded federal Child Tax Credit, expanded SNAP benefits, and universal school meals have come to an end, families continue to be faced with rapid inflation and the rising costs of utilities, food, and household necessities. In Virginia, 13.6% of young people live in food-insecure households, representing roughly 1 in 7 children in the state.
Tax Fairness
- Establish a state-level refundable Child Tax Credit (CTC).
- Enhance the state-level Earned Income Tax Credit to increase refundability to 20% of the federal credit and expand eligibility to Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) filers.
Food and Nutrition Access
- Fund “Healthy School Meals for All” to ensure that young people have access to school breakfast and lunch at no cost.
- Establish a “Food is Medicine” Medicaid benefit.
Income and Work Supports
- Establish a state-administered Paid Family and Medical Leave program for all employees across the Commonwealth.
- Foster financial security by strengthening safety-net resources and providing cash assistance to families.
Related Content
Publications
Publications
Publications
Resources
Giving
Invest in Virginia’s Future TODAY
Each gift you give enables the Voices team to further advocate for young people, conduct vital research, and educate the public.
Explore Ways to Give
Contact Us
