Explainer: Paid Leave Benefits and Funding in the United States
A short primer on state paid family and medical leave programs across 13 states and Washington, DC.
Narrative Change & Storytelling
Reimagining Work-Family Stories at South by Southwest
Our entertainment initiative joined with partners including CAA Community Impact, GLAAD, MPAC, and Imaginable Futures to share resources at SXSW.
Spotlighting Gender, Work, Family, and Care at Sundance 2026
Our entertainment initiative was excited to start the year by participating in three official events at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival.
Putting Pregnancy, Abortion, and Care into Context on Screen
TV and film viewers are eager to see more realistic, authentic depictions of reproductive health decisions on screen.
Not All Paid Leave Policies Are Equal
A new report concludes that newer voluntary, optional paid leave policies in several states are not leading to coverage.
10 Top Moments for Care on TV in 2025
From the struggles of parenthood to confronting a cancer diagnosis, Vicki Shabo and Lydia Storie count down the top TV care moments of 2025.
The Impact and Reach of Better Life Lab in 2025
Despite a year marked by political uncertainty and ongoing challenges for working families, the Better Life Lab has made extraordinary strid
A Chilling Effect: Increased Immigration Enforcement Jeopardizes Child Care and Mothers’ Employment
10 Better Life Lab Stories That Shaped Family and Workplace Policy in 2025
Better Life Lab Story Fellows: Introducing the Inaugural Cohort
These talented journalists and researchers will spend the next six months investigating America's care crisis
Maryland’s Longevity Plan: How One State Could Help Redefine Aging in America
With federal cuts looming, Mark Swartz explores Maryland’s bold aging plan focused on care, housing, and economic opportunity.
Beth Macy Explores how to Bridge Divides in Families Fractured by Angry Politics
Journalist Beth Macy talks with Brigid Schulte about her new memoir, "Paper Girl," and what she learned returning to her hometown of Urbana, Ohio — where family, political division, and the collapse o…
Closer to the Pain, Closer to Solutions: On Paid Leave, States Are Showing Us the Way
National paid family and medical leave is the goal, but in the meantime, state policy innovations and improvements provide evidence and hope