Breadcrumb
- Federal Resources
Federal Resources
Latest Product Recalls
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death from thousands of types of consumer products. You can find information on over 5,000 product recalls and recall alerts on the CPSC website.
Playground Safety Publications
Publications from the CPSC regarding safety hazards and issues of various types of playground equipment.
Safety Hazards in Child Care Settings
CPSC has long been concerned about hazards in the home, especially as they affect young children. Because similar hazards may be present in organized child care settings, CPSC staff conducted a national study of potential dangers in these settings to identify how to help prevent injuries and ensure greater safety for children.
Children of Incarcerated Parents – Fact Sheet
According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, in 2007, an estimated 1.7 million children under the age of 18 had a parent in prison, an increase of almost 80 percent since 1991. The negative consequences for children with an incarcerated parent can be substantial, including financial instability, changes in family structure, shame, and social stigma. However, research also shows that supporting healthy and positive relationships between these vulnerable children, who are the innocent bystanders of adult decisions, and their families has the potential to mitigate negative outcomes.
An interagency group, that includes the Departments of Justice, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, Education, and Agriculture as well as the Social Security Administration, has partnered with stakeholders both inside and outside of government to identify opportunities to support these children and their caregivers. This fact sheet describes the efforts of the interagency group.
Choice Neighborhoods
The Choice Neighborhoods initiative will transform distressed neighborhoods and public and assisted projects into viable and sustainable mixed-income neighborhoods by linking housing improvements with appropriate services, schools, public assets, transportation, and access to jobs. A strong emphasis will be placed on local community planning for access to high-quality educational opportunities, including early childhood education. In addition to public housing authorities, the initiative will involve local governments, non-profits, and for-profit developers in undertaking comprehensive local planning with residents and the community.
Database for Finding Better Schools
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has partnered with GreatSchools, a national nonprofit educational resource for parents, to provide an online database that can assist parents in choosing a school for their child. The database contains more than 200,000 public, charter, magnet, and private schools, serving grades K-12 across the country.
Healthy Homes Website
The Healthy Homes program provides homeowners and rental property owners with practical information about how to prevent health and safety hazards. Specific problems such as asthma, allergies and mold are discussed.
Neighborhood Networks
HUD created Neighborhood Networks in 1995 to encourage property owners to establish multiservice community learning centers in HUD insured and assisted properties. Neighborhood Networks was one of the first federal initiatives to promote self-sufficiency and help provide computer access to low-income housing communities. Neighborhood Networks centers are alike. With support from innovative public-private partnerships, Neighborhood Networks centers sponsor a range of services and programs. Nearly all centers offer job training and educational opportunities, and many also provide programs that include access to healthcare information and microenterprise development.
Toolkit: Every Student, Every Day: A National Initiative to Address and Eliminate Chronic Absenteeism
The Every Student, Every Day: A Community Toolkit to Address and Eliminate Chronic Absenteeism (PDF, 69 pages) toolkit provides information, suggested action steps, and lists of existing tools and resources for individuals, leaders, and systems to begin, or enhance the work of, effective, coordinated community action to address and eliminate chronic absenteeism.
Resource: Federal Guidance to Support Completion and Success in Higher Education
This fact sheet describes a joint commitment from multiple federal departments to align supports and program delivery to promote college access and completion. The guidance will support colleges and universities in their efforts to expand college opportunity.
National Financial Capability Challenge
The Challenge is an initiative designed to engage educators in the teaching of personal finance and to increase the financial knowledge and capability of high school aged youth so they can take control of their financial futures.
Guidance: Joint Statement of Principles on Student Loan Servicing
ED, Treasury, and CFPB issued a Joint Statement of Principles on Student Loan Servicing. This document serves as a guiding statement to improve student loan servicing practices, promote borrower success, and minimize defaults.
Report: Opportunities to Improve the Financial Capability and Financial Well-being of Postsecondary Students
This report describes the state of financial education (PDF, 48 pages) among students and illustrates current efforts to enhance financial education with respect to student understanding of topics related to financing postsecondary education and making sound financial decisions while enrolled in school and beyond. The report also identifies programs that promote or enhance financial literacy for students, including those that involve partnerships between nonprofit organizations.
National Academies Board on Children, Youth, and Families
The Board on Children, Youth, and Families (BCYF) addresses a variety of policy-relevant issues related to the health and development of children, youth, and families. It does so by convening experts to weigh in on matters from the perspective of the behavioral, social, and health sciences.
ConnectED: President Obama’s Plan for Connecting All Schools to the Digital Age
The ConnectED Initiative aims to bring America’s students into the digital age by ensuring access to the Internet and other educational technologies by using existing federal funds and partnering with businesses, states, districts, communities, and schools.
Host a College Signing Day Celebration
First Lady Michelle Obama invites school and community leaders to promote the students’ success by hosting a College Signing Day at local high schools. Use the College Signing Day Toolkit (PDF, 22 pages) to plan an event to honor students’ commitments to complete their education beyond high school.
Let Girls Learn
Let Girls Learn is a new government-wide initiative focused on helping adolescent girls complete their education and pursue their goals. Let Girls Learn will build on the work of the Peace Corps and USAID, and will utilize partnerships with NGOs, businesses, and foundations, in an effort to promote the education and success of girls worldwide.
Kicking Off the Conversation with WHIAAPI’s Young Leaders Dialogue on Education
On October 30, the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (WHIAAPI) held its first Young Leaders Dialogue (YLD) Google+ Hangout on Education. The first YLD focused on education, and more than 500 students and professionals RSVP’d and attended watch parties. Small group discussions that focused on the needs of various campuses and communities were also held.
My Brother’s Keeper Task Force Report to the President
The My Brother’s Keeper Initiative was launched in February 2014 to address the persistent opportunity gaps faced by boys and young men of color. This 90-day report outlines the initial recommendations developed by the My Brother’s Keeper Task Force and offers a blueprint for action by government, business, nonprofit, philanthropic, faith and community partners.
Official Selections from the First-Ever White House Student Film Festival
On February 28, 2014 the White House held its first-ever Student Film Festival, screening 16 official selections that highlight why technology is so important and how it will change the educational experience for students in the future. Visit the event website to learn more about the film festival, check out the winning films, and watch video of the event.
Opportunity for All: Supporting Asian American and Pacific Islander Families
This document outlines how President Obama’s budget for fiscal year 2015 takes steps to support and create opportunities for Asian American and Pacific Islander families (PDF, 8 pages) in education, employment, health care, and economic growth.
The President Proposes to Make Community College Free for Responsible Students for 2 Years
President Obama has unveiled a new proposal that would make two years of community college free for students who attend atleast half-time, maintain a 2.5 GPA, and make steady progress toward completing their program.
White House Tribal Nations Conference: Generation Indigenous,
On December 3, 2014, The White House hosted the Tribal Nations Conference. At this event, leaders from federally recognized Native nations, the President, cabinet officials, and The White Council on Native American Affairs discussed key issues facing tribes. During the event, the Obama administration announced the launch of Generation Indigenous, a comprehensive, culturally appropriate initiative that will focus on removing barriers to success for Native youth.
White House Tribal Nations Conference
On December 3, 2014, The White House hosted the Tribal Nations Conference. At this event, leaders from federally recognized Native nations, the President, cabinet officials, and The White Council on Native American Affairs discussed key issues facing tribes. During the event, the Obama administration released the 2014 Native Youth Report (PDF, 38 pages). This report describes the impact of past misguided federal policies on Native children, persistent educational disparities experienced by Native youth, and recommendations for partnerships that have the potential to strengthen ladders of opportunity for young people.
¡Gradúate! Financial Aid Guide to Success
This new guide, released by the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics, was developed to support Hispanic students in their efforts to enroll in and afford postsecondary education. Available in English and Spanish, the guide includes recommendations on how to prepare a college application, tips for choosing the right college, and information about financing options, including resources for students granted Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals and non-U.S. citizen students.