Evidence-Informed Public Policy for Vulnerable Youth and Families
Join us on Nov. 4 for our next Sulzberger Distinguished Lecture featuring Bryan Samuels, executive director of Chapin Hall.
Our Mission
The Center for Child and Family Policy is dedicated to improving the well-being of children and families through research, education, and engagement. We study factors that influence child outcomes, develop and test promising interventions, and advance evidence-based practices and policies that can inform change and unlock opportunities for all children and their families.
Recent News
Student Reflection on Gibbs Talk “Making Smart Investments in Early Childhood Education”
October 21, 2025
CCFP News
The Duke Center for Child and Family Policy recently welcomed Dr. Chloe Gibbs, assistant professor of economics at the University of Notre Dame, for her talk “Making Smart Investments in Early Childhood Education,” as part of the Center’s Early Childhood Initiative series.
read more about Student Reflection on Gibbs Talk “Making Smart Investments in Early Childhood Education”NC children will suffer from government gridlock. Here’s what lawmakers can do | Opinion
October 9, 2025
The News & Observer
This op-ed by Lisa Gennetian and Jenni Owen warns that challenges and the restructuring of federal government programs are putting North Carolinian children at risk, urging lawmakers to pass a budget that protects Medicaid expansion, restores a child tax credit, and supports early education.
read more about NC children will suffer from government gridlock. Here’s what lawmakers can do | OpinionIn Guilford County, officials say school-based telemedicine is reducing chronic absenteeism
October 8, 2025
Blue Ridge Public Radio
Sarah Komisarow studied the effects of school-based telehealth, reporting that offering telemedicine in schools lowered students’ risk of chronic absenteeism by approximately 29%.
read more about In Guilford County, officials say school-based telemedicine is reducing chronic absenteeism2025 Color of Education Summit to Feature Dr. Eve Ewing, Tara Roberts, and Dr. John King Jr.
September 17, 2025
EdNC
The summit is part of a partnership between the Center for Child and Family Policy at Duke’s Sanford School of Public Policy, the Flood Center, the Public School Forum of North Carolina, the Samuel DuBois Cook Center on Social Equity at Duke University.
read more about 2025 Color of Education Summit to Feature Dr. Eve Ewing, Tara Roberts, and Dr. John King Jr.
Featured Projects
Research Project
North Carolina Preschool Development Grant
Project Description CCFP researchers have partnered with colleagues at The Hunt Institute and Child Trends on multiple projects for North Carolina’s Preschool Development Grant, within the North Carolina Division of Child Development and Early Education The Preschool Development Grant Birth through Five (PDG) is administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration…
learn more about North Carolina Preschool Development Grant
Research Project
Evaluation of NC Community Schools Coalition
Project Description The North Carolina Community Schools Coalition aims to improve the academic, mental, and physical health of North Carolina students through the development of Full-Service Community Schools across the state. Full-Service Community Schools prioritize partnerships between schools and the community to promote the overall success and well-being of children and families. The community schools model…
learn more about Evaluation of NC Community Schools Coalition
Research Project
Daily Diary Study of Youth Adjustment in the Russia-Ukraine War
This project will pilot a daily diary study of youth in Ukraine and Poland to develop a state-of-the art assessment tool for measuring within-person changes in coping and adjustment related to the war in Ukraine.
learn more about Daily Diary Study of Youth Adjustment in the Russia-Ukraine War
Research Project
Understanding How Interpersonal Relationships and Social Support During War Promote Resilience and Recovery
This study focuses on understanding how Ukrainian youth and young adults are navigating the challenges of war not only regarding their coping strategies and individual adjustment, but also in how they are developing meaningful relationships with peers, partners, and parents, and the ways in which they are seeking and receiving support.
learn more about Understanding How Interpersonal Relationships and Social Support During War Promote Resilience and RecoveryFor Students
The Center offers a variety of ways for Duke students at every level to learn about child and family policy and become involved in original research.