The Scarlet Letter ‘S’: Reclaiming Humanity and Hope for Teen Suicide
Join us on February 26 for our Sulzberger Distinguished Lecture featuring Dr. Pamela Morris-Perez.
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
Children’s Sensitivity to Facial Emotional Expressions
February 11, 2026
CCFP News
A newly completed study led by Helen Milojevich examined how socioeconomic status (SES) relates to children’s emotion recognition abilities.
read more about Children’s Sensitivity to Facial Emotional ExpressionsStudent Reflection on Conducting Research in Schools Panel 2025
December 12, 2025
CCFP News
On November 19, the School Research Partnership at Duke in the Center for Child and Family Policy hosted its annual “Conducting Research in Schools” panel discussion.
read more about Student Reflection on Conducting Research in Schools Panel 2025Student Reflection on Samuels Talk “Evidence-Informed Public Policy”
December 9, 2025
CCFP News
The Duke Center for Child and Family Policy recently welcomed guest speaker Bryan Samuels, executive director of Chapin Hill, as part of the Sulzberger Distinguished Lecture Series.
read more about Student Reflection on Samuels Talk “Evidence-Informed Public Policy”Reducing Food Insecurity Among Children in the U.S.
November 24, 2025
EconoFact
Food assistance programs specifically earmarked toward subsidizing household food costs such as SNAP and WIC have positive effects on infant health and school achievement and reduce behavioral problems in school, promoting a range of health and educational benefits in the short- and long-term.
read more about Reducing Food Insecurity Among Children in the U.S.
Featured Projects
Research Project
Early Identification and Prevention of Child Maltreatment: Cross-Agency Processes and Outcomes
Local social service agencies and health care providers routinely make decisions regarding a child’s risk for maltreatment. Yet, providers have limited information to guide their decisions and rarely receive feedback regarding the children’s long-term outcomes.
learn more about Early Identification and Prevention of Child Maltreatment: Cross-Agency Processes and Outcomes
Research Project
ITTI Care
The Infant-Toddler Trauma-Informed Care (ITTI Care) Project leverages the existing early childhood education workforce support system to expand and strengthen trauma-informed knowledge and practice within the communities they serve.
learn more about ITTI Care
Research Project
Survey of Health Trends (SEHAT)
Study of children’s and adolescents’ trajectories of mental health, immunization, and primary healthcare utilization in the aftermath of the COVID pandemic. The research is being conducted in India, where one-sixth of the world’s population lives.
learn more about Survey of Health Trends (SEHAT)
Research Project
Baby’s First Years Study
Baby’s First Years is a pathbreaking study of the causal impact of monthly, unconditional cash gifts to low-income mothers and their children in the first three years of the child’s life. The cash gifts are funded through charitable foundations. The study will identify whether reducing poverty can affect early childhood development and the family processes that support children’s development.
learn more about Baby’s First Years StudyFor 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.