The National Partnership for Women & Families advances economic security, health, and fairness for women and families through research, advocacy, and partnerships. This organization translates data into practical solutions that help employers and policymakers create environments where caregiving and career can thrive together.
By collaborating with employers, advocates, and public leaders, the National Partnership drives measurable change in workplace standards, health coverage, and family support policies. The following sections highlight the key areas where their work delivers lasting impact.
| Focus Area | Primary Goal | Key Outcome | Relevant Data or Metric |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paid Family and Medical Leave | Expand access to paid time off for caregiving and medical needs | More workers can take leave without losing income | Coverage by state and federal programs |
| Workplace Flexibility | Promote predictable schedules and remote work options | Improved retention and productivity | Employer adoption rates and employee survey results |
| Health Care Affordability | Reduce out-of-pocket costs and coverage gaps | Higher utilization of preventive care and lower debt | Premiums, deductibles, and family cost-sharing data |
| Child Care Support | Increase access to affordable, high-quality care | Stable employment for parents and better school readiness | Provider counts, subsidy participation, and cost trends |
| Economic Security | Narrow wage gaps and strengthen supports for low-income families | Higher earnings stability and reduced poverty | Wage gap metrics and poverty rates by demographic |
Advancing Paid Family and Medical Leave
The National Partnership leads efforts to turn paid leave from a workplace perk into a standard expectation. They analyze state proposals, coordinate with employer coalitions, and provide model policies that balance business needs with worker protections.
Designing Sustainable Leave Programs
Their work emphasizes portable benefits, clear eligibility rules, and benefit levels that actually cover rent and groceries. By partnering with labor, small business groups, and public agencies, they help design programs that are administratively simple and financially sound.
Championing Workplace Flexibility
Flexible schedules and predictable hours reduce burnout and support caregiving responsibilities. The National Partnership works with companies to pilot policies, measure outcomes, and share best practices that show flexibility can improve performance rather than disrupt operations.
Implementing Predictable Scheduling Practices
Through research and toolkits, they guide employers on how to give workers advance notice of shifts, limit last-minute changes, and maintain service quality. These steps help staff plan for child care, second jobs, and training without risking sudden loss of income.
Strengthening Health Care Affordability
The organization tracks how premiums, deductibles, and cost-sharing affect families, especially women and caregivers. Their policy briefs highlight reforms that lower out-of-pocket burdens while sustaining high-value care and innovation.
Expanding Access to Preventive Services
By promoting no-cost preventive visits and clear coverage rules, the National Partnership helps people avoid costly emergency care. They also call out gaps in coverage for maternity care, mental health, and chronic conditions that disproportionately affect women.
Supporting Accessible, Affordable Child Care
With a focus on supply, affordability, and workforce conditions for child care educators, the National Partnership pushes for sustainable funding and smarter regulations. Their data tools help parents, advocates, and officials see where child care deserts are most severe.
Aligning Public and Private Investments
They map federal, state, and employer dollars to show how coordinated financing can expand slots and raise teacher pay. Clear outcome metrics, such as enrollment stability and teacher retention, help communities assess whether new investments are working.
Making Progress on Families and Work
- Use data and model policies to shape paid leave and flexibility initiatives at your organization or city
- Track health care costs and coverage gaps to prioritize reforms that reduce financial stress for families
- Support child care investments that address supply shortages and teacher pay gaps
- Engage employers and public leaders with clear benchmarks so progress is measurable and transparent
- Coordinate across sectors to align funding, regulations, and workplace practices for long-term impact
FAQ
Reader questions
How does the National Partnership influence paid leave policy?
They provide model legislation, economic analyses, and stakeholder testimony to help lawmakers design programs that are both worker-friendly and feasible for employers.
What tools do employers get to improve workplace flexibility?
They offer policy templates, implementation guides, and case studies that show how flexible schedules can reduce turnover and support productivity without sacrificing service quality.
How does the organization measure health care affordability impacts?
They track premiums, deductibles, and out-of-pocket costs for families, comparing results over time and across states to highlight where reforms reduce financial hardship.
What role does data play in child care advocacy?
By publishing local and national data on provider supply, costs, and teacher wages, they help advocates target investments and policies where child care gaps are greatest.