Family Focused Public Policy

Families today face many difficult challenges.  Most families were greatly affected by the recent economic downturns.  That could take the form of less work, layoffs, little or no raises, or a reduction in overtime work.  Some families even lost their homes to foreclosure when they were unable to keep up with their loan payments. 

Families do not face just physical challenges though.  There seems to be an increase in depression, a loss of hope, a blurring of the lines between right and wrong that families must fight against every day.  Parents have to be vigilant if they want to protect their children from the less worthy influences that fight for their time and attention.

Natural disasters and climate change also play a big role in the challenges of this generation.  When I look at the things that are going on in our world today, I admit I am a little bit frightened for the children of today and beyond.  Much of the news that is portrayed in the media focuses on the negatives and the sensational.  The message of the gospel of Jesus Christ though is hope.  Michael M. Seipel, Professor of Social Work at BYU said, “The family is by far the most effective way to provide social, emotional, spiritual, and economic security.” So I’d like to concentrate on several keep government policies and programs outlined by Professor Seipel that help protect and strengthen families.

First, the Family and Medical Leave Act, otherwise known as FMLA.  This has been a big blessing to many families in the US.  This act requires employers to allow family members to take a short-term leave of absence from work to care for the medical needs of their family members.  It protects their job and benefits for up to a certain number of weeks.  Most people are probably familiar with the maternity benefit aspect of FMLA.  But did you know that it also covers adoptions, caring for the needs of foster care children, parents, siblings, or spouses? 

Many US companies offer the bare minimums of coverage as outlined by FMLA.  But there is a growing trend for companies to reach beyond or extend the benefits of FMLA.  Some of my brothers and brothers-in-law have been able to use paid paternity leave through the companies they work for.  It has been a huge blessing in their lives to have that special bonding time with their children and to ease the burdens on their wives who are overwhelmed by balancing the needs of their newborn infant as well as their other children while attempting to recover from childbirth.  I remain hopeful that other US companies start to follow this trend because of the wonderful benefits it provides the family.

  

Next, the Earned Income Tax Credit or EITC.  This program is one of the programs I like best because it mirrors God’s program for assistance.  Families that don’t earn enough to support their family on their own can receive a supplement in the form of a tax credit to make up the difference.  The part that I like about it is that it is a tiered program.  Those who make the least receive the greatest benefit, while as income increases, the credit is gradually tapered off.  This allows parents to continue to work to support their families while building skills that will hopefully help them to eventually be able to support their family on their own without assistance.  The Lord expects every person to do their part while still realizing that everyone is at a different level of ability. 

One huge benefit of this program is that it helps keep family members from having to work multiple jobs, which frees up time that families can be together.  

Finally, the Health Insurance Benefit.  Government regulation requires insurance companies to allow families to be a part of the employee sponsored health plan even though one parent is the only one working for the company.  Some companies pay a small percentage of the insurance premium and others pay a larger portion.  Often this allows working parents to be able to afford healthcare for their family at a less expensive cost than they would find on their own.  For some families, the government has specific health insurance programs like Medicare or Medicaid to help supplement the benefits the family can provide on their own for families whose members are in the greatest need.

Professor Seipel also said, “When families are blessed with sufficient resources, they will be able to focus more time and means on developing the individual talents of their children and helping them to develop spiritually to achieve their full potential.”

Although these programs are small, they do help and bless families by helping the families to have sufficient resources to meet their members’ needs.  It is important that we do what we can to let our government representation know that policies, programs, and laws that protect and support the family are important to us.  Please take the time to get familiar with the representatives in your area.  Reach out and find out what pro-family legislation is in the works.  And please, please take the time to be a voice of reason when anti-family legislation is considered.  Your family and the whole nation will be blessed for your efforts.