By AJ Griffin, EdD, Potts Family Foundation CEO

Americans across the political spectrum recognize and agree that a safe and nurturing environment is crucial for children’s growth and development. Based on my experience in Oklahoma, despite a growing political divide, legislators from different parties can still come together to pursue this goal and address challenges in the child welfare and family support system.

Perhaps more importantly, everyday Oklahomans across the state agree – and are working together – to improve the lives of children and their families. It’s a cause that’s bigger than political divides.

Bipartisanship can serve as an essential unifying force and is a cornerstone of effective governance. Government functions at its best when collaboration transcends party lines and finds common ground. Working cooperatively ensures that public policies are informed, well-rounded, and representative of diverse perspectives. This cooperative approach strengthens the fabric of democracy and instills public confidence in the legislative process.

Despite ideological differences, lawmakers and citizens can unite for the greater good. There is no greater good than the well-being of children. New data from the Bipartisan Policy Center—including a national public opinion poll and a 50-state legislative review—indicates numerous opportunities for state legislators to continue bipartisan collaboration to reform child welfare systems.

As an example of bipartisanship in action: the 50-state review found legislators introduced 567 bills addressing child welfare in 2022 and 2023, with 146 enacted. Of the enacted bills, 58 were introduced by Republicans, 33 by Democrats, and 55 had bipartisan cosponsorship. These results indicate that state legislators from both political parties share concerns about children and families served by child welfare and want positive outcomes for families.

The 50-state review also puts a spotlight on the crucial relationship between states and the federal government for child welfare policy. In many cases, states have acted as innovators of reform and offered a roadmap for subsequent federal reform. In others, state implementation of federal legislation provides insight into what does and doesn’t work. The Family First Prevention Services Act, for example, enacted in 2018, prioritizes prevention with the goal of keeping families intact through the provision of support services. That shift to prevention sought to reduce the need for foster care placement and improve outcomes for children through family preservation. It marked a significant evolution in how society addresses the complexities of family dynamics and child well-being. Yet implementation of Family First has varied significantly and some states have struggled.

The key takeaway from the legislative review is confirmation that common ground exists among state lawmakers and that state legislation is aligned with the public’s attitudes about child abuse and neglect and the need for family positive policies. State legislators and the public care deeply about strengthening families and supporting child health and safety. They embrace the complexity of the task we ask of our nation’s child and family welfare system and believe that additional reforms are needed to ensure that government and community organizations can effectively meet the needs of children and families. I look forward to supporting BPC in its efforts to cultivate bipartisan support for needed reforms.