About CCF

The Center for Children and Families (CCF) is an independent, nonpartisan policy and research center whose mission is to expand and improve health coverage for America's children and families.

As part of Georgetown University's Health Policy Institute, CCF develops and disseminates research, strategies, and ideas to improve the health of America's children and families, particularly those with low and moderate incomes. In particular, CCF examines policies and implementation issues with respect to Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), employer-based coverage, and public-private initiatives. CCF also helps states find effective policies for increasing and improving coverage for children and families, in addition to analyzing and monitoring how federal policy developments and state-based initiatives affect the health care coverage of America's families.

See How We Work or Issue Areas for more information.

Executive Staff

Cindy Mann Executive Director Cindy Mann, executive director of the Center for Children and Families, has extensive experience in the design, implementation, and analysis of federal and state policies affecting children and families. She is also a research professor at the Georgetown University Health Policy Institute, and an associate commissioner with the Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured. Her experience includes serving as director of the Family and Children's Health Program Group at the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA, now the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services) where she was responsible for overseeing the children and families side of the Medicaid program. In addition, she previously directed health policy for the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, and worked on the design and implementation of health programs at the state level. View full biography.

Joan Alker Deputy Executive Director Joan Alker is deputy executive director at the Center for Children and Families and a senior researcher at the Georgetown University Health Policy Institute. Her work focuses on health coverage for low-income children and families, with an emphasis on premium assistance policies, immigrant issues, cost-sharing, and state Medicaid initiatives. Her previous positions include associate director of government affairs at Families USA and assistant director of the National Coalition for the Homeless. View full biography.

Jocelyn Guyer Deputy Executive Director Jocelyn Guyer is deputy executive director at the Center for Children and Families and a senior researcher at the Georgetown University Health Policy Institute. Her work focuses extensively on child and family health issues, including reauthorization of SCHIP and the role of Medicaid in covering children and families. Her previous positions include associate director at the Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured, senior health policy analyst on health and welfare policy at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, and legislative research assistant to Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan. View full biography.

For information on all CCF staff see Faculty and Staff. For interview requests, contact Philip Zorn at 202-784-3138 or pdz2@georgetown.edu.