Alex Coccia
He/Him/His
Alex Coccia is a Senior Policy Analyst at CSSP, where he advances policy work on family and community economic security. He makes connections between policy development, empirical research, and community organizing to focus on making public systems robust, equitable, accessible to people and communities who have long been excluded from them, and responsive to the needs of and generous in supporting children and families across the continuum. He has professional and academic expertise in anti-poverty and family economic security policy and strives for a politics that will eliminate poverty in the United States.
Alex has a multi-disciplinary background with experience in a variety of roles, including in community organizing, strategic communications and storytelling, academia, research, non-profit, and federal government. In addition to his policy role, Alex was an adjunct assistant professor in Political Science at Notre Dame. Prior to joining CSSP, Alex was a policy consultant for Children’s Defense Fund Ohio, and a special assistant and policy analyst at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation. He received his DPhil (PhD) in Politics and MPhil in Comparative Social Policy from the University of Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar. Prior to receiving his BA from Notre Dame, he was awarded the Harry S. Truman Scholarship, which supports careers in public service.
#CARES4Power
Follow us on Instagram to learn more about our work, the CARES Ambassadors, and the policies we are building to advance change for all transition age youth.
Swipe left to explore the importance of the Mental Health and Well-being policy principle featured in the National Policy Agenda, as perceived by Atlanta CARES Ambassador Jamie. These principles are vital for the progress and welfare of our community. @_jamiekelley_
.
.
.
.
#CARES #CARES4Power #NationalPolicyAgenda #CARESNationalPolicyAgenda #JuvenilleJustice #CriminalSystem #Mentalhealth #Wellbeing #FosterYouth #Policy #Youth #YoungPeople #TAY #TransitionAgeYouth
Though we strive not to practice "color-blind" ideology, evidence shows that child welfare decision-makers often judge parents of color more harshly--one result being more children being removed from their families. Calls for systemic change to amend these barriers are growing at a rapid pace. In 2021, the "blind removals" program in Nassau County (New York) was created to address racial bias in decisions regarding the removal of a child from their caretakers. California – which has the most disproportionate share of Black children in foster care of any state in the nation, according to the National Center on Juvenile Justice – is considering a bill that would create blind removal pilot projects in several counties. @childcarenassau
.
.
.
.
#Classisinsession #KeyEquityTerms #CARES #CARESAmbassadors #CARES4Power #Equity #Colorblind #ColorBlindRacialIdeology #ChildWelfare
See how Atlanta CARES Ambassador Aisha feels about being an ambassador for the past three years and her work on the National Policy Agenda featured in our Linktree!
.
.
.
.
#CARES #CARES4Power #NationalPolicyAgenda #CARESNationalPolicyAgenda #FosterYouth #Policy #Youth #YoungPeople #TAY #TransitionAgeYouth
The Child Welfare League of America defines cultural competence as the ability of individuals and systems to respond respectfully and effectively to people of all cultures, classes, races, ethnic backgrounds, sexual orientations, and faiths or religions in a manner that recognizes, affirms, and values the worth of individuals, families, tribes, and communities, and protects and preserves the dignity of each.
.
.
.
.
#Classisinsession #KeyEquityTerms #CARES #CARESAmbassadors #Equity #CulturalCompetence #ChildWelfare
Swipe left to understand the significance of the policy principle of Meaningful Employment featured in the National Policy Agenda, as perceived by Atlanta CARES Ambassador Jada. Jada shares what it would mean to her to have a job that pays a livable wage. These principles are crucial for our community`s progress and welfare.
.
.
.
.
#CARES #CARES4Power #NationalPolicyAgenda #CARESNationalPolicyAgenda #Employment #FosterYouth #Policy #Youth #YoungPeople #TAY #TransitionAgeYouth
Swipe left to understand the significance of the policy principle of Meaningful Employment featured in the National Policy Agenda, as described by Atlanta CARES Ambassador Jada and Los Angeles CARES Ambassador Joseph. These principles are crucial for our community`s progress and welfare.
.
.
.
.
#CARES #CARES4Power #NationalPolicyAgenda #CARESNationalPolicyAgenda #Employment #FosterYouth #Policy #Youth #YoungPeople #TAY #TransitionAgeYouth #Gainfulemployment
When woven into practice, cultural humility includes:
- An examination of one`s own biases.
- Open dialogue with families.
- Proactive efforts to level the playing field and address systemic inequities.
While race and culture are not synonymous, cultural humility with a racial equity lens can help address the stark racial disparities in the [child welfare] system and promote attention to the intersections of race and other cultural identities.
.
.
.
.
#classisinsession #KeyEquityTerms #CARES #CARESAmbassadors #Equity #CulturalHumility #ChildWelfare
The Housing portion of the Policy Principles shared on https://cares4power.org/policy-agendas/housing/ emphasizes the need for safe, affordable, and stable housing for all individuals, particularly marginalized communities. These housing recommendations advocate for policies that prevent displacement, improve housing conditions, and ensure long-term affordability.
Swipe left to understand the significance of the policy principle of housing featured in the National Policy Agenda, as perceived by New York-based CARES Ambassador Andre. These principles are crucial for our community`s progress and welfare.
.
.
.
.
#CARES #CARES4Power #NationalPolicyAgenda #CARESNationalPolicyAgenda #Housing #FosterYouth #Policy #Youth #YoungPeople #TAY #TransitionAgeYouth
