2026 Aspen Forum on Children and Families
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2026 Aspen Forum on Children and Families

The convening focused on bold, equitable, and pragmatic strategies for building prosperity and well-being for all families.

Families are the foundation of our nation and the key to its future. And that future will be so much brighter when we ensure all families are flourishing. At Ascend, we are not looking back. We are activating our network of 1000+ strong in a national call to move Forward With Families.

Across the Ascend Community, changemakers are demonstrating what’s possible. They are expanding access to quality, affordable child care, ensuring stable income and housing, and building systems that open doors instead of closing them. This year’s theme, Forward With Families, is also the name of Ascend’s bold new strategy to scale these solutions and more to make life affordable, opportunity accessible, and security attainable for every family in America.

At a time when so much focus is on what’s broken, Ascend strives to create places of hope and action. The Aspen Forum on Children and Families offers a rare opportunity to reframe and begin the new year with renewed energy, clarity, and connection.

Day 1
Wednesday, January 28
As the nation's premier cross-sector convening focused on advancing the well-being and economic mobility of children and families, our fifth AFCF brought together more than 200 leaders from state systems, policy, philanthropy, research, and community organizations, as well as Ascend Parent Advisors. Together, we identified short- and long-term opportunities, elevate bold solutions, and inspire collective action to move Forward With Families.
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