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Clear Strategies Policymakers Can Implement so That All Children Thrive

Last summer, UnidosUS in partnership with Abriendo Puertas(Opening Doors), launched the Latino Infant Initiative aimed at deepening engagement in Latino early learning through focused research and the development of a national policy agenda.

Through this partnership, a national survey was conducted late last year with 1,300 Latino families from across the nation highlighting their concerns and priorities related to the health and wellbeing of their youngest children from 0 to 5 years old.

Survey results showed that child safety, bilingual development and quality childcare are top priorities for Latino families. That information is critical to addressing the needs of a growing Latino population. According to 2020 U.S. Census data, there are currently 62 million Latinos in the United States. And according to data from the Pew Research Center, Latino population growth accounted for nearly one million U.S. births per year in the 2010s.

Gun violence, racism and mental health were also high on the list of concerns. Approximately 60% of parents surveyed were extremely concerned their child could be a victim of a mass shooting, and 90% believe their state policymakers should take more aggressive steps to reduce mass shootings. Additionally, one-third of respondents reported experiencing discrimination in public places, at work or with law enforcement, simply for being Latino.

“We believe that this information can really serve as a resource not only for advocates, but also for policy makers,” said Amalia Chamorro, director of education policy at UnidosUS. Chamorro added, “Families are telling us what the challenges and the needs are but are also offering solutions.”

Thanks to donors like you, UnidosUS can partner with organizations like Abriendo Puertas in building national coalitions for a stronger and more unified voice in support of Latino equity. Additionally, obtaining direct feedback from the community and those impacted the most not only informs our advocacy work and helps shape our programs, but also serves as a resource with clear strategies policymakers can implement to create the conditions for progress so that all children can thrive.

To listen to a webinar discussing the results of the survey by visiting us at UnidosUS, Abriendo Puertas, and BSP Research Discuss the Findings of 2022 Latino Family Voices Survey.