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 Why is it Important to Assess Family Impact?
Most policymakers wouldn’t think of passing a bill without asking, "What’s the economic or environmental impact?" The Family Impact point-of-view encourages policymakers to routinely ask what the impact of policies or programs might be for families.
The Family Impact Checklist is a nonpartisan consensus tool that provides policymakers and implementers with criteria to evaluate how policies and programs are sensitive to — and supportive of — families. It is designed to improve their ability to assess the intended and unintended consequences of policies and programs on families.
Critically examining the past, present or probable future effects of a policy, program or service on family well-being has benefits reaching across political party lines for several purposes, including:
Reviewing rules, legislation and laws to understand how they do or do not address families’ needs.
Helping prepare questions or testimony for hearings, board meetings, or public forums.
Evaluating programs and operating procedures of agencies or organizations to identify ways in which they are strong in their support of families, and what gaps exist in the services they provide.
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