We have the power to shape the conversation. That is one key takeaway from advocates attending the Democratic National Convention in Chicago this week during an election cycle that appears increasingly focused on the wellbeing of children and families. 

“We’ve found that Republicans, Democrats and Independents support politicians who will invest in our young children – making sure that they’re well educated when they’re entering kindergarten and that they’re well fed,” said Mark Shriver, founder of Save the Children Action Network, the political voice for kids. “Both early childhood education and making sure that the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, is reauthorized so that children are fed in this country has broad bipartisan support.” 

Shriver was speaking on August 19 at an Axios event presented by Save the Children and SCAN on The Cost of Living Crisis for American Families in front of 206 attendees.  

SCAN representatives are in Chicago this week to highlight the importance of investing in child care and food security. They did the same last month at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  

Recent SCAN polling suggests financial security remains top of mind for millions of voters, leading to strong, bipartisan support for robust investments in child care and food security, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Voters also shared they want more government action on these issues and would feel more favorable toward candidates who supported action on these topics.  

“Children don’t vote and don’t make political contributions,” Shriver said at the Axios event. “However, the best investment a country can make is investing in early childhood education.” 

The Axios event also featured Connecticut Representative Rosa DeLauro, who spoke earlier in the day at the SCAN lounge in McCormick Place Convention Center, where DNC delegates are gathering throughout the week to discuss party priorities.  

“Fighting for children and fighting for our future is not only an equality issue and an economic issue, it is a winning issue,” DeLauro said at McCormick Place. “Kids deserve to be supported, not abandoned.” 

“We know how to deal with child poverty and to end it,” DeLauro continued. “We have the resources to fund child care and hunger initiatives.” 

SCAN representatives and advocates will continue to carry that message throughout this election cycle and beyond in their efforts to improve the wellbeing of children and families across the United States.