Policy and Action Hub - Generations United

Generations United’s policy work is designed to engage advocates for children, youth and older adults as joint partners in improving the lifetime well-being of all people and to improve the lives and wellbeing of children, youth, older adults and the families that care for them through effective policies, practices, and programs.

Take Action with Generations United!

Thoughtful investments across the lifespan aren’t optional—they’re essential. Without them, we risk wasteful spending, deepening divisions, and policies that fail children, older adults, and families. In 2025, Congress passed a budget package that included over $1 trillion in cuts to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), putting tens of millions of people at risk of losing health coverage and food assistance.

Now, Congressional committees are reviewing TANF and other mandatory social service programs. Policymakers are often not aware that TANF is often the only form of financial support available for children raised by grandparents and other kin caregivers outside of the foster care system. TANF child-only grants supported over 280,000 children being raised by grandparent(s) or other relatives in FY 2023, keeping kids safely with kin and out of the more costly foster care system.

SSBG provides critical flexible funds that support adult protective services, meals on wheels, supports for kinship families, intergenerational programs, and more in addition to child care. Recent actions by the Administration is putting pressure on Congress to review child care and social services programs including TANF and the Social Services Block Grant (SSBG).

Here’s how you can make a difference:

🔎 1. Find Your Members of Congress

Visit Congress.gov to look up your members in the House and Senate.

✍️ 2. Craft Your Message

Your voice matters. Personal messages are powerful. Need help? Use these templates to get started:

Protect TANF for Grandfamilies:

“Hello, my name is [YOUR NAME], and I live in [CITY, STATE]. I urge [Senator/Representative NAME] to protect Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and improve grandfamilies access TANF child-only grants. TANF is often the only form of financial support for children raised by grandparents or other kin caregivers. Nationally, TANF child-only grants supported over 280,000 children raised in grandfamilies in FY 2023, keeping kids safely with kin and out of the more costly foster care system. Many grandfamily caregivers cannot make ends meet without TANF’s modest but essential support. While fraud must be prevented through strong oversight, this can and must be done without punishing children and families. I urge [Senator/Representative NAME] to protect TANF for grandfamilies and kinship families.”

Protect SSBG & TANF for All Generations:

“Hello, my name is [YOUR NAME], and I live in [CITY, STATE]. I urge [Senator/Representative NAME] to protect Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and the Social Services Block Grant (SSBG). TANF is often the only form of financial support for children raised by grandparents or other kin caregivers, providing essential support to over 280,000 children in kinship care in FY2023. SSBG provides critical flexible funds that support services across the lifespan, such as adult protective services, Meals on Wheels, supports for kinship families, intergenerational programs, and more in addition to child care. While fraud must be prevented through strong oversight, this can and must be done without punishing children and families. I urge [Senator/Representative NAME] to protect TANF and SSBG.”

Restore Medicaid and SNAP for People of All Ages:

“Hello, my name is [YOUR NAME], and I live in [CITY, STATE]. I urge [Senator/Representative NAME] to take immediate action to address the devastating cuts to Medicaid and SNAP in the 2025 Budget Reconciliation Law. HR1 included over $1 trillion in Medicaid and SNAP cuts that would take away food and healthcare from millions of families. Protect these critical programs for children, families, and older adults. Thank you.”

Protect Medicaid and SNAP for Kinship/Grandfamilies:

“Hello, my name is [YOUR NAME] and I live in [CITY, STATE]. I am a grandparent raising my grandchild, and I urge [Senator/Representative NAME] to ensure Medicaid and SNAP work requirements consider grandfamilies and kinship families stepping in to raise children unexpectedly and keep them safely out of foster care. Grandparents and kinship caregivers should not be subject to work requirements but are at risk of falling through the cracks. Medicaid and SNAP are critical supports for families like mine, please protect them. Thank you.”

Protect Access to Vaccines:

“Hello, my name is [YOUR NAME], and I live in [CITY/STATE]. I’m calling because I deeply care about the health of my family and community. I urge [Senator/Representative NAME] to support policies that expand access to vaccines for people of all ages, including children, older adults, and caregivers. Vaccines are a key part of keeping families healthy, and it’s important that everyone can access them easily, regardless of income, age, or location. Please support efforts to protect and fund vaccine access and education. Thank you.”

Protect and Support Intergenerational/Grandfamilies Programs:

“Hello, my name is [YOUR NAME], and I live in [CITY, STATE]. I urge [Senator/Representative NAME] to protect and strengthen policies that support [intergenerational/grandfamilies/kinship family] programs like mine, [DESCRIBE YOUR PROGRAM IN 1-2 SENTENCES]. These programs are doing vital work in our communities, and they need your leadership. I urge [Senator/Representative NAME] to oppose efforts that would weaken supports for children and older adults, and instead invest in solutions that help all generations thrive. Thank you.”

📞 3. Contact Your Members

Make your voice heard! Call or send a message your representatives.

TIP: If you want to send a message: Go to your member’s website

📢 4. Share Your Advocacy

Tag your lawmakers, share your story on social media, and encourage others to act. Every voice counts.

We’d love to hear from you! Share your advocacy with Generations United at @GensUnited

📚 Generations United Resources to Support Your Advocacy

Public Policy Priorities for the 119^th Congress

Grandfamilies

State of Grandfamilies and Kinship Care in America Annual Reports

The Costs of Caregiving: Why Supporting Grandfamilies and Kinship Care is Good for Children and Our Nation’s Economy

State GRAND Fact Sheets