Caring For Families Task Force: Takeaways From the 2026 Ideas Summit
The NewDEAL Forum today released a new Caring For Families policy memo highlighting challenges and opportunities for state and local leaders to address rising costs associated with health care, childcare, and food insecurity.
The document presents key takeaways from the 2026 NewDEAL Forum Ideas Summit, where policymakers and industry-area experts dug into solutions to cost of living challenges and immediate and long-term solutions to bring some measure of relief to families and workers.
“Families are feeling the strain of rising costs in nearly every aspect of daily life, from putting food on the table to finding affordable child care and accessing quality health care,” said Jonathon Dworkin, Executive Director of the NewDEAL Forum. “This memo presents guidance and practical solutions from leaders across the country who are fighting to strengthen families' economic security.
Ideas in the paper address:
Protecting Healthcare Access and Lowering Costs, including opportunities for leaders to strengthen preventive care.
Expanding Child Care Availability, by strengthening the workforce and implementing economic and regulatory reforms.
Improving Food Access: In the face of federal funding cuts, initiatives include ensuring governors can access emergency funds during SNAP delays, universal school meals, and community partnerships.
