Fight Crime: Invest in Kids Statement on American Families Plan

Today, the Biden Administration released an ambitious proposal, the American Families Plan, that prioritizes children and families including through extending the newly expanded Child Tax Credit and providing access to pre-kindergarten for all three- and four-year-olds. For 25 years, Fight Crime: Invest in Kids has supported bipartisan policies that help lift families out of poverty and ensure that children have safe, quality early learning environments to prepare them to succeed. We are encouraged that the Biden Administration included these priorities in their proposal, and now is the time for Congress to act to invest in our children.

Michael Yaniero, Chief of Police and Public Safety Director, Jacksonville, NC: “As a law enforcement leader, I know that we will never be able to arrest our way out of our crime problems. The best way to combat crime is to ensure it does not happen in the first place. Ensuring more children have access to a quality early learning environment and families have the resources to meet their needs are two priorities that can help the next generation grow up to reach their potential and succeed.”

One analysis of the expanded Child Tax Credit included in the American Rescue Plan estimated that it could cut child poverty by as much as 45 percent. Reducing child poverty has many benefits, as poverty is associated with crime, lower math and reading scores, and decreased high school completion.

Research shows that high-quality pre-kindergarten programs can decrease the likelihood that children who attend will grow up to commit a crime. Attendees also had an increased rate of high school graduation.

Fight Crime: Invest in Kids will continue its 25-year track record of working in a bipartisan manner to promote evidence-based solutions that increase public safety through ensuring kids can grow up healthy, well-educated, and prepared for success. Expanding the Child Tax Credit and increasing access to pre-kindergarten for our three- and four-year-olds are two critical actions Congress can take now.

It is time to come together, all across our nation and across party lines, to forge durable lasting policies that support the healthy development of all of our nation’s children.