WASHINGTON, DC

For Immediate Release | Media Contact: Rolf Rosenkranz (rrosenkranz@savechildren.org) 

CHICAGO (August 19, 2024) – Americans from all walks of life want elected officials to do more to help families afford nutritious food and high-quality child care. That’s the clear takeaway from a recent national survey of likely voters commissioned by Save the Children Action Network (SCAN), and a message advocates from across the country are sharing with political leaders during this week’s Democratic National Convention. 

“Americans understand that stronger investments in child care, early education and food affordability will strengthen the economy and future of our nation. That’s why Save the Children Action Network is committed to working alongside Republican and Democratic policymakers to address the concerns of working families and voters and ensure every child has the opportunity to thrive and reach their potential,” said SCAN founder Mark Shriver. 

Shriver will speak today at an event on “The Cost of Living Crisis for American Families” that will also feature Gov. Roy Cooper (NC) and Rep. Rosa DeLauro (CT), among others. The event, hosted by Axios and presented by Save the Children and SCAN, will be livestreamed starting at 3 p.m. CDT. Axios hosted a similar event presented by Save the Children and SCAN at last month’s Republican National Convention. 

The national survey results released by SCAN show that financial security remains top of mind of millions of Americans, leading to strong, bipartisan support for robust investments in child care and food security, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). 

“Our survey makes clear that there is strong support across party lines for greater investments in child care and nutrition. Political leaders should heed the call and prioritize efforts to increase access to child care and early education, strengthen SNAP benefits and combat child hunger,” said Christy Gleason, Executive Director of SCAN. 

Notable Survey Results on Increasing Access to Affordable, High Quality Child Care: 

• A solid majority of voters (60%) – including undecided voters – say federal funding for child care and early childhood education should be increased.   

• Voters believe additional federal funding would increase the affordability and quality of child care and early education would help working families:  

• 91% nationally (93% in swing states) say it would give families the freedom to make choices that best meet their needs  

• 89% nationally (88% in swing states) say it would help working families manage the higher cost of living 

• 84% nationally (85% in swing states) say it would help parents secure their children’s future  

• Voters want candidates for office to support increased funding for child care and early childhood education:  

• 90% of voters say a candidate doing so would strongly signal to them the candidate supports working families and understands working families’ financial struggles  

Notable Survey Results on Policies to Combat Food Insecurity: 

• Voters recognize the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) as being vital:  

• 85% of voters say SNAP is important, including 63% saying it is very important in helping families who are facing food insecurity   

• Two thirds of voters – including three in four undecided voters – say SNAP benefits are inadequate  

• 90% national (89% in swing states) say increasing SNAP benefits would help working families manage the higher cost of living  

• 86% nationally and in swing states say it would give families the freedom to make choices that best meet their needs  

• 74% nationally and in swing states say it would help parents secure their children’s future 

• Majorities of key voter segments would feel more favorable toward candidates who support increased funding for SNAP, including: 

• 73% of swing state voters 

• 74% of voters are undecided on their presidential candidate choice 

• 81% of parents 

• 54% of rural voters  

Full survey results can be viewed by clicking here.  

Methodology  

The national survey was fielded June 1-4, 2024 by New Bridge Strategy (R) and Hart Research (D). It includes 1,705 voters nationally interviewed online with oversamples of a total of 719 voters in a group of swing states (AZ, GA, MI, NV, PA and WI) in addition to 639 voters who are parents to children under age 18. The credibility intervals are: +2.2% for voters nationally, +3.4 for swing state voters and +3.6 for parents.  

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Save the Children Action Network (SCAN) was created in 2014 as the political advocacy arm of Save the Children, to be the political voice for kids. We work to ensure that the issues critical to children’s lives and futures are given top priority by our elected leaders, building bipartisan support to make sure every child has a strong start in life. 

Learn more about SCAN here: https://savethechildrenactionnetwork.org.