We all live under the same sky — and we want the same things for our kids. Same Sky translates what parents across America say their children need into a clear, accountable federal policy agenda.
Why Same Sky? No matter where a family lives or how they vote, they look up at the same sky — and they want the same things for their children: enough food, access to care, safe neighborhoods, and a future worth growing into. Same Sky is built on that shared horizon.
Same Sky is a research and policy initiative, housed at the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University. We use original polling and community listening to build a federal children's policy agenda — grounded in data, not party platform.
Seven years of annual surveys. A national study in JAMA Health Forum. And a measurement framework that holds policymakers accountable regardless of which party is in power.
Same Sky does not start with a policy position. These five areas emerged from what parents told us — consistently, across years, across states, across the political spectrum.
Potential policy recommendations are listed under each issue. We will test these with parents before they become part of the formal agenda.
Quotes drawn from community listening sessions and parent surveys conducted across Tennessee and Georgia, 2018–2025.
Two workstreams are live. The first national report publishes Summer 2026.
A nationally representative poll of U.S. parents, with an intentional oversample of Appalachian communities. Fielded with university partners at WVU and the University of Kentucky.
See our evidence base →Structured conversations with families in communities across the country. Piloting in Atlanta; expanding nationally. Partner with us to bring a session to your community.
Partner with us →By late 2027, Same Sky will publish the first national children's policy agenda built from parent consensus — five issues, clear congressional and administrative recommendations, and a public accountability scorecard. The Same Sky Index will track whether policymakers act.
See the full planSame Sky is forming a founding advisory group and seeking organizational partners with nonpartisan, cross-sector reach. We are actively seeking philanthropic support for data infrastructure, listening sessions, and the national survey program.
The infrastructure is in place. The first national survey is live. We need partners to take the work to scale.
Seeking support for data infrastructure, the national survey program, listening session expansion, and the Same Sky Index. Contact us to discuss.
Forming a founding nonpartisan advisory group. If your mission aligns with children and families, we want to talk. Get in touch.
Our evidence base and measurement framework are available to Congressional offices and federal agencies. Request a briefing.
Polling data and methodology available. Embargoed access to upcoming results on request. Contact us.
Seven years of original polling. A national study in JAMA Health Forum. A gap analysis showing what families need versus what systems deliver. Your investment extends infrastructure that exists — it does not start from scratch.
Parent consensus on children's issues crosses all political lines right now. Same Sky is designed to move at the speed of that moment: national report Summer 2026, full policy agenda by late 2027. Funders who engage now shape what gets built.
Same Sky operates within the Emory Center for Child Health Policy at the Rollins School of Public Health — with university accountability, IRB infrastructure, and an academic track record. Philanthropic dollars are stewarded through an institution with the credibility to hold them.
Seven years of polling. Five issues. What families say their children need — across geography, background, and political affiliation.
Annual polls, the JAMA Health Forum national study, and the Same Sky gap analysis. We built the evidence; we didn't borrow it.
From listening sessions in 2026 to a parent-supported federal policy agenda by 2028. Year by year.
Complex inputs. Simple outputs. A public scorecard that does not reset when a new administration takes power. First report 2026. Full index 2027.
Chair of Health Policy and Management at Emory's Rollins School, practicing neonatologist, and former White House Senior Policy Advisor.
From 1909 to 1970, America had a national process for setting a shared agenda for children. Same Sky answers that absence.
The evidence base is built. The framework is in place. The first national survey is live. We are looking for partners across every sector who share a commitment to children.
Same Sky is housed at the Emory Center for Child Health Policy, Department of Health Policy and Management, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University. Led by Stephen W. Patrick, MD, MPH — Chair of Health Policy and Management, practicing neonatologist, and former White House Senior Policy Advisor.
info@samesky.orgSeeking philanthropic support for data infrastructure, surveys, and listening session expansion. Contact us
Forming a founding nonpartisan advisory group. Cross-sector reach preferred. Get in touch
Evidence base and measurement framework available to Congressional offices and federal agencies. Request a briefing
Polling data and methodology available. Embargoed access to upcoming results on request. Contact us