Child Trends is the leading research organization in the United States focused solely on improving the lives of children, youth, and families.
Since its founding in 1979, Child Trends has been committed to designing, conducting, interpreting, and communicating rigorous, high-quality data and research on children, youth, and families’ well-being. Our work explores how a child’s environment shapes their life and the drivers of variance in their outcomes across individual, socioeconomic, and other characteristics.
We work to ensure that all children thrive.
Child Trends promotes the well-being of all children and youth through applied research that informs public policies, builds the evidence base for what works, and mines data to identify young people who are overlooked or ill served by public systems. Our research is known for its rigor and objectivity, making Child Trends a uniquely powerful and respected voice for children and youth.
Our expertise spans multiple fields, including early childhood, child welfare, school climate, reproductive health, family formation, juvenile justice, trauma, and youth development.
