Governors' Children's Cabinets

Some governors have created Children’s Cabinets, which are special cabinets that bring cabinet secretaries, who run a state’s various agencies, together to focus on the needs of children. These can be an effective strategy goal for developing an issue’s prominence, but they can also be a lot of work. See below for an outline of other pros and cons of developing a children’s cabinet.

The governor can create this without any legislative action and  include these benefits:

It creates an institutional basis for issues to be explored, considered and addressed. 

• The cabinet members have the staff support to focus and collaborate through the governor’s office on one key policy focus—children’s needs.

• Without the need for a crisis, the agencies are brought together to consider creative approaches, joint strategies and improvements to government responses to children.

• Cabinet secretaries have administrative rulemaking authority, so action could take place at this level. 

Things to consider, however, may include:

• Governors change. Even with statutory backing, the next governor can choose not to have a Children’s Cabinet. 

• Administrative rulemaking may occur as a result of these meetings, therefore advocates may need to include this policy path to their policy development/monitoring activities.

The Forum for Youth Investment publishes a guide on the "Child and Youth Policy Coordinating Bodies in the United States". Find your state in their 2015 report.