PolicyLab at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia has released a new report that reviews scientific evidence supporting ten key economic security policy areas. Developed in collaboration with the Maternity Care Coalition (MCC), the report concludes that expanding or introducing these policies could strengthen financial stability for children and families, especially as cost-of-living pressures continue to rise. Although the report is targeted mainly at policymakers in Pennsylvania, it also offers relevant insights for officials in other states.

“Studies indicate that only about half of individuals born in the 1980s—many of whom are now parents of young children—earn more than their parents did, which raises significant concerns about children’s financial security and opportunities for upward mobility,” said Dr. Meredith Matone, Director of PolicyLab. “Our review highlights how programs like Medicaid, SNAP, and Head Start can positively influence children’s long-term health, education, and financial outcomes when families receive support starting in pregnancy and early childhood.”

This report is part of PolicyLab’s Evidence to Action series, which translates high-quality academic and community-based research into practical recommendations that policymakers can use to improve outcomes for children and families.

“The findings provide a roadmap for state legislators in Pennsylvania and nationwide to strengthen economic security for families now and in the years ahead,” said Rebecka Rosenquist, PolicyLab’s Deputy Director for Policy and Strategy.

“We analyze how each policy area affects children’s long-term health, educational success, and financial stability, and assess the potential benefits of expanding or introducing these policies. While each policy is important on its own, implementing them together could create meaningful progress for children and families.”

Save the Children operates in 115 countries, providing vital support to over 100 million children through food, healthcare, and education since its founding after World War I. Recently, the organization has increasingly responded to environmental crises, as highlighted in its report - Born into the Climate Crisis. For instance, in late 2024, the charity’s Spanish branch, based in Madrid, mobilized rapidly after severe flooding in the Valencia region left 164,000 children in need of assistance.

Technology plays a key role in enabling the charity to deliver essential services effectively. Recognizing that children born in 2020 are likely to experience up to seven times more heatwaves and extreme weather than their grandparents, Save the Children Spain sought a partner for a device refresh that would uphold their environmental and social responsibility goals. Lenovo was selected to help ensure devices were reused or recycled wherever possible.

A Save the Children spokesperson said: "We are committed to equipping our frontline teams with the tools they need to help children, while doing so sustainably. Our aim is to create impact today without compromising the world for future generations. Digital tools enable us to safeguard every child’s right to survival, education, and protection. Our technology refresh had to be both cost-effective and environmentally conscious to ensure our staff can continue delivering for children in Spain and globally."

Embracing a Circular IT Approach
The charity also needed a secure and efficient way to dispose of outdated devices, given the sensitive data it handles, all without adding operational complexity. With only 200 employees nationwide and no dedicated IT team, ongoing technical support was a critical requirement.

John Stamer, VP & GM of Global Product Services at Lenovo, stated: "We believe technology should not only drive innovation but serve a greater purpose. We’re proud to support Save the Children Spain by providing sustainable IT solutions that empower frontline teams while advancing their climate objectives. Services like Asset Recovery and CO2 Offset help reduce the environmental impact of devices while ensuring critical work can continue effectively."

To manage end-of-life IT equipment responsibly, Save the Children Spain adopted Lenovo’s Asset Recovery Services (ARS), which securely disposes of devices from any brand and prioritizes reuse or recycling to reduce environmental impact. ARS also allowed the charity to recover $7,000 from old devices, reinvested into deploying new technology.

Additionally, Lenovo’s CO2 Offset Services were used to neutralize the carbon footprint of new hardware throughout its lifecycle—from manufacturing to energy use—supporting the organization’s broader climate advocacy goals.

Equipping Frontline Teams
On the ground, Lenovo supplied 200 ThinkPad E16 laptops, providing the performance frontline workers need. Save the Children Spain also implemented Premier Support Plus, granting staff access to expert technical assistance for rapid resolution of hardware and software issues. On-site support is available the next business day when remote fixes aren’t enough, ensuring smooth operations without diverting staff from their mission.

Premier Support Plus includes Accidental Damage Protection (ADP) and Sealed Battery Warranty Extension, which extend device life, reduce waste, and promote repair over replacement. CO2 offset credits are applied to all ADP coverage, reinforcing sustainability.

A spokesperson for the charity noted: "With Lenovo Premier Support Plus, our teams have continuous access to the digital tools they need."

Driving Impact Beyond Technology
The partnership with Lenovo enables Save the Children to align operational efficiency with its mission. Secure, cost-effective recycling and reuse of IT assets supports a circular approach while ensuring staff have reliable, high-performance devices. This empowers frontline workers to support children across Spain and strengthen advocacy for those in crisis globally.
"Our climate-focused campaigns made it logical to choose a solution that supports the circular economy. With Lenovo’s support, our staff have the devices and 24-hour assistance needed to deliver for sick, impoverished, and hungry children worldwide," added a Save the Children representative.

“People often ask me, ‘How do you let them go?’” says Sophia Harvey. “But in my heart, I know they’re only with me for a season.”

For nearly a decade, Harvey - a Commercial Banking relationship specialist at Regions—has opened her home to children through Youth Villages, a nonprofit dedicated to helping young people with emotional and behavioral challenges find stability and thrive. Her greatest hope for every child is the same: a safe reunification with their family.

She’s witnessed the difficult realities many children face, from the loss of a parent to other traumatic experiences. “I focus on giving them stability,” Harvey explains. “They want to feel like they belong. At first, some may push back against structure, but eventually they recognize it for what it is - love.”

Foster parenting wasn’t always part of Harvey’s life plan. When her own son turned 30, she felt a tug to explore the idea. “If you’d asked me years before, I would’ve said, ‘You’re out of your mind,’” she laughs. But after learning more about the need, her heart took over. “I told God, ‘You blessed me to raise my son,’ and I decided to give that same care to others.”

She completed interviews, classes, and certification, officially joining the more than 200,000 foster parents in the U.S.—a group whose numbers are shrinking even as demand grows.

Harvey admits the role can be challenging. “When a child you’ve never met moves in, you’re both strangers. You only truly get to know someone by living with them.” Her placements last anywhere from a week to a year and a half, and she fills that time with enriching experiences—whether it’s community service at a nursing home, helping distribute food in the neighborhood, or exploring Memphis and beyond.

She also makes room for joy. Shopping trips, first-time train or plane rides, even a trip to Disney World have all been part of her fostering journey. Closer to home, she teams up with fellow foster parent Brenda Brown, whom she met in a class seven years ago. Together, they organize activities like church gatherings and painting parties for their children, while also leaning on one another for guidance and support.

“Sophia will lift you up with scripture or prayer,” says Brown, who has adopted seven children during her 30-plus years of fostering. “She has a heart of gold and will give you anything you need.”

In Harvey’s home, every child has their own bedroom with a large bed, sofa, and TV—but more importantly, they have a place where they are genuinely loved and cared for. “I want them to feel safe, valued, and understood while they’re with me,” she says.

Even after children leave, they remain part of her life. “The first child I fostered called me five years later. That meant everything to me,” Harvey shares. “You miss them deeply and hope they thrive.”

Her message to those thinking about fostering is simple: “If you have the time, love, and patience, do it. It’s hard work, but it’s deeply rewarding. I give it my all because every child deserves to be loved.”