Capita

*** Care in America: Historical Perspectives, Future Visions. *** Join Capita in Chapel Hill, North Carolina in March 2025 to explore the history and possible futures of care and caregiving in the U.S. through a seminar rooted in the tradition of Socratic dialogue and a shared commitment to interdisciplinary, cross-ideological conversation. In the face of demographic change, a persistent child care crisis, and an aging population requiring increasing care, this seminar offers a timely opportunity to reimagine a stable, flourishing future for families and communities. Senior Fellow Elliot Haspel and writer Elissa Strauss, author of "When You Care: The Unexpected Magic of Caring for Others," will guide our discussion of historical and contemporary texts on child care, family life, work, parenthood, and our collective future in an intimate setting that will foster deep dialogue and meaningful engagement with one of the most urgent topics of our time. Discounted rates are available for Capita Forward members (https://lnkd.in/eX4FC-Cn). Participation is strictly limited to 15 people, so reserve your spot now. https://lnkd.in/ejEcXa3c

The 2024 U.S. election results have set the stage for much reflection and debate. At Capita, we’ve also been taking stock, considering the implications for children, families, and the communities they call home. Our conclusion? This moment marks the beginning of a new chapter in family policy. But its shape is not yet clear. For us, the election is part of a larger story- a significant shift away from decades of the neoliberal paradigm. Both political parties in the U.S.—and voters across the spectrum—are wrestling with new questions about the role of government, institutions, markets, and, above all, communities in supporting families. This isn’t just an American phenomenon; it’s part of a broader, global reckoning. So, what comes next? The road ahead will be challenging. The political landscape is more polarised than ever. Yet, we believe this is a time for bold thinking, not retrenchment. As bridge-builders and sense-makers, we are focused on reimagining family policy in three critical ways: ? Breaking down silos: Families don’t live their lives in neatly separated policy categories. Yet too often, that’s how we design policy solutions. The lack of good early child care cannot be separated from the exhaustion of parents working low-paying jobs where their every move is timed and tracked, or from the loneliness and depression of caregivers. We need to knit together a broader approach that considers the interconnected nature of family life. ? Prioritising people and places: Strong families are rooted in strong communities. Policies should focus on strengthening local institutions and our social infrastructure—civic organizations, schools, child care providers, etc—that form the backbone of society. ? Championing pluralism: Families are far from monolithic, and policy must reflect diverse realities and preferences. Our policies must respect these differences, offering a wide spectrum of options and support for caregivers. None of this is easy. At times, we may need to defend children’s and families’ basic health, safety, and dignity. We will not hesitate to speak out when our voice is required. But this work will also demand persistence, creativity, and a commitment to collaboration across political divides. Above all, it will require the humility to truly listen—to families, to communities, and to one another. Read more in the piece I wrote with my colleagues?Joe Waters?and?Elliot Haspel! This is just our reflection, and as always, we'd love to hear your thoughts.

As with many of you, I have been engaged in deep reflection -- alongside my Capita colleagues -- following the election. I'm pleased to share this essay, co-written with Capita CEO Joe Waters and Chief Strategy Officer Caroline Cassidy, about the conclusions we have reached, and the role Capita sees itself playing in keeping child and family flourishing centered as we all sail into uncharted waters. As we write, "Our conclusion: this moment marks the beginning of a new era in family policy. But the shape of this new era is not yet clear. Capita has been preparing since its inception to be a bridge and sense-maker during such a liminal period—and we are ready to shape this future with you... ...This is not a time for despair or retrenchment. If the old solutions have failed to meet the needs of families, the answer is not to double down on outdated strategies or retreat to milquetoast incrementalism. The answer is to imagine What Comes Next and build a new path toward it."

The 2024 election results have launched countless think pieces, but at Capita, we’ve taken a step back to reflect on what this moment means for children, families, and communities. Our conclusion: we are at the dawn of a new era in family policy. But what this era looks like is still taking shape. This isn’t about partisan wins or losses. While the Republican Party now holds a federal trifecta, Trump’s victory was relatively narrow, and the electorate has continued a 21st-century trend of shifting power. What’s clear, however, is that the neoliberal paradigm—prioritizing low-regulation free markets and globalization over the needs of families and communities—is fading. This shift is happening not just in the U.S., but globally. So, what comes next? My colleagues Elliot Haspel, Caroline Cassidy, and I on how Capita will make sense of this new era, work across divides, and strive for a future centered on families and their communities.

With public school enrollments declining in many areas, districts are left with under-utilized or unused school buildings. I co-authored this blog with Aaron Loewenberg at New America to explore how districts can consider repurposing these facilities into community child care hubs -- as school boards, district leadership, and communities wrestle with enrollment shifts as well as child care scarcity, I hope this resource can be a conversation starter!

?? In this episode of Capita in Conversation, Joe Waters and Jon Baron, President of the Coalition for Evidence-Based Policy, talk about the evolution and impact of evidence-based policymaking in the U.S. Jon shares his journey and insights on how government funding can prioritize programs proven to work, tackling social issues through a rigorous, data-driven approach. Listen to the conversation: https://lnkd.in/gEReE-Km

Last night at Blue Door in Charlotte, Capita's board chair Nicole Biondi and I had the privilege of chatting with Dele Olojede, one of our most interesting global leaders, and many of Capita's friends from across the Carolinas. We had an engaging conversation about the parallels between American and South African democracy, the resilience of our institutions, and the truthful leadership of figures like Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu. We also explored the legacy of apartheid in South Africa and the enduring impact of Jim Crow in the United States. One key takeaway from this Capita salon? As Dele reminded us, “People are going to people.” Our shared humanity is both a great challenge and a tremendous source of hope. I am grateful for the opportunity to learn from a wise friend and reflect together in our community on the lessons of recent history and what we are experiencing today. Caroline Cassidy Erika Perez-Leon Michael Bettis, MA Amy Vaccari Mandrier Nicole Biondi - Professional Dot Connector Ann Marie Stieritz Elizabeth H. Star Photo credit: Jesse Barber

Foundations for Flourishing Futures: 5 years on In October 2019, in partnership with KnowledgeWorks, we published?Foundations for Flourishing Futures: A Look Ahead for Young Children and Families, which offers insight on issues 10 years into the future that may impact children everywhere. The forecast also provides decision-makers with ideas for future directions to follow. Foundations for Flourishing Futures?identifies emerging issues within five domains of life–health, learning, social infrastructure, autonomy and agency, and caregiving–that are critical to helping young children and their families flourish. To concretely explore the implications of each trend, we posited “artifacts from the future,” which are objects, places, practices, policies, or roles that could exist by 2029. Five years after publication, in a world of multi-crises, we are resharing the forecast to take stock of where we are, how the future we envisioned is shaping up, and how we can continue to contribute to build a future where every person has strong foundations on which they can build a fulfilling life and determine their own path. ?? Read the forecast: https://lnkd.in/en4VMiRQ

"Religion remains a significant source of meaning and community in our society. We must not impose our assumptions about the future of religion or our own personal experiences with it, on questions about the role of religion in promoting belonging and a sense of shared agency in society." In his article, Michael Wear, ?President & CEO of the?Center for Christianity and Public Life, argues that while religion is not a perfect solution for fostering belonging and agency, it remains a significant source of meaning and community for many people. ?? https://lnkd.in/ecyRX7eu

The decline in religious affiliation has social consequences, particularly in terms of social capital and shared purpose. In a new essay published today by Capita, Michael Wear, CEO of the Center for Christianity and Public Life, cautions against assuming that secular alternatives can replace the benefits of religious participation and suggests that religious communities still offer valuable insights for building meaning, belonging, and shared agency in our society. https://lnkd.in/dk5eb633