{"id":32190,"date":"2025-02-20T15:58:11","date_gmt":"2025-02-20T15:58:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/caseyfamilyv2.wpengine.com\/first-spouses-one\/"},"modified":"2026-03-24T19:28:58","modified_gmt":"2026-03-24T19:28:58","slug":"first-spouses-one","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.casey.org\/es\/first-spouses-one\/","title":{"rendered":"\u00bfQu\u00e9 dicen los c\u00f3nyuges de los mandatarios sobre el trabajo para abordar el bienestar infantil y familiar?"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n\n \n \n \n \n

Summary<\/h3>\n

This brief highlights insights from current and former first spouses on their work to improve child and family well-being during their partners’ gubernatorial terms.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n \n \n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

\n
\n
\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
\n
\n\n \n \n \n \n

<\/p>\n

The spouses of governors (first spouses) are in a unique position to elevate and advocate for the well-being of children and families in their states and within local communities. This includes supporting families so that children can remain with their families whenever safely possible and, when foster care placement is necessary, placing children with kin<\/a> and ensuring that their time away from their family is as brief as possible<\/a>. While they are not elected officials, first spouses are able to engage a wide variety of partners to support their causes, serving as essential allies to child welfare leaders to implement\u00a0upstream prevention<\/a>\u00a0services and\u00a0transform the child welfare system<\/a>.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

States differ widely in the structure of supports available to first spouses, including whether the first spouse has an official role, staff, or budget. Their personal and professional experiences also influence what they choose to focus on. Some first spouses have no previous experience in public life, while others have had a great deal. Nonetheless, all first spouses can find ways to make positive impacts in their states in a manner that suits their interests, expertise, and personality.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

This brief shares the experiences and insights of two current and seven former first spouses in their work to improve child and family well-being in their states during their respective spouses\u2019 tenures as governors. The current first spouses are Abby Cox (Utah) and Sarah Stitt (Oklahoma). The former first spouses are Lauren Baker (Massachusetts), Tracey Quillen Carney (Delaware), Angela Ducey (Arizona), Donna Edwards (Louisiana), Susan Hutchinson (Arkansas), Susanne Shore (Nebraska),1<\/sup><\/a> and Tonette Walker (Wisconsin). For more specific information about the work of first spouses, see the companion brief:\u00a0How can first spouses promote child and family well-being?<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n \n \n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

\n
\n\n \n \n \n \n

Through the\u00a0Governors\u2019 First Spouses\u2019 Program<\/a>, the National Governor\u2019s Association provides opportunities for professional development and networking, including learning labs on a variety of topics of interest to first spouses, including: childhood hunger; trauma, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), and child welfare; and public policy.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n \n \n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

\n
\n\n \n

Personal experiences and connections<\/h2>\n \n \n \n

First spouses build on personal and professional strengths and interests when deciding what issues to focus on and how to address them. Serving as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), experiencing or hearing about friends\u2019 childhood experiences with maltreatment, or observing friends and family serve as foster or adoptive parents have influenced the decisions of many first spouses to focus their work on promoting child and family well-being. Many first spouses also may have developed relationships with child protection agency leaders and other child welfare system partners during the campaign or during their spouse\u2019s previous positions in government.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Even without pre-established relationships, first spouses may initiate partnerships with their state\u2019s child protection agency to better understand the needs of children and families in their state, and how to best support them. For example, soon after former First Lady Lauren Baker of Massachusetts<\/strong> assumed her role, she requested meetings with leaders from the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families. This allowed her to get to know the commissioner and some of the deputies, and helped guide her work.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n \n \n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

\n
\n
\n

It would be beneficial for state and child welfare leaders to reach out to the First Lady\u2019s office. The knowledge from child welfare leaders is huge. They can figure out how to get that spouse involved.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

— Donna Edwards, Former First Lady of Louisiana<\/cite><\/figcaption>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n
\n
\n\n \n \n \n \n

<\/p>\n

First spouses emphasize that child welfare leaders need not wait to be approached but instead personally reach out to and engage first spouses themselves, beginning with an introductory meal or other brief meeting as an occasion to get to know each other. Given the many issues and priorities competing for first spouses\u2019 attention, it can take several tries before a child welfare leader is able to get on the first spouse\u2019s calendar, so child welfare leaders may need to be persistent and start outreach as early as permissible. First spouses also recommend that child welfare leaders invite first spouses to observe and experience programming in person, rather than inviting them to attend large events such as fundraising galas, so that they can see the impact of the work firsthand. Many first spouses have come to rely on the advice of their state\u2019s child welfare leader, and many child welfare leaders appreciate that first spouses lift up and celebrate their work. First Lady Sarah Stitt of Oklahoma <\/strong>suggested to child welfare leaders: \u201cDon\u2019t be afraid to reach out and ask questions. Don\u2019t be afraid to try to find a connection to the first spouse. Let them know the statistics, because getting accurate information is difficult during a changeover in state government.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n \n \n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

\n
\n\n \n

Advocacy and education<\/h2>\n \n \n \n

Given their position, first spouses have access to a wide audience. Priority areas that first spouses highlight are likely to be picked up by the media, further spreading their message. First spouses also are less constrained than elected officials when bringing attention to issues and are able talk about them more freely, often at a personal level and in a way that is relatable for members of the community.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

First spouses can raise the public profile of organizations that are doing effective work for children and families, which can directly or indirectly impact those organizations positively. First spouses also are in ideal positions to advocate, educate the community on issues important to them, and lift up the voices of constituents. Former<\/strong> First Lady Susan Hutchinson of Arkansas<\/strong> explained: \u201cPeople want the first lady to talk. I talk about what it is like to live here and then I talk about the children.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Child welfare leaders can support first spouses in their efforts to inform the public about children\u2019s issues through a number of activities that deepen their understanding, such as: sharing data and stories; providing connections to community organizations to learn more about on-the-ground work; and assisting with the development of effective messaging to further the first spouse\u2019s priorities. Child welfare leaders have access to a great deal of data and information about child and family well-being in their state, including service strategies and priorities, funding streams and needs, and what is most needed to keep families safely together and prevent entry into foster care. They also can elevate the personal experiences of people navigating child protective services. Tonya Myrup, director of the Utah Division of Child and Family Services, noted: \u201cIt\u2019s that personal story \u2014 hearing a youth\u2019s story and the importance of having stability, family, and connection. This is what can really ignite the passion for this work.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n \n \n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

\n
\n
\n

A child welfare leader could be tremendously helpful (to a first spouse) in that first year of learning how to be an effective advocate for children. It\u2019s important to recognize what you don\u2019t know and find the people who do know.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

— Tracey Quillen Carney, Former First Lady of Delaware<\/cite><\/figcaption>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n
\n
\n\n \n

Convening and connecting<\/h2>\n \n \n \n

While many community members and organizations already are doing good work to improve child and family well-being, they sometimes work in isolation from one another. First spouses can foster connections and encourage cross-system collaboration. Former First Lady Tonette Walker of Wisconsin<\/strong>, who focused on reducing adverse childhood experiences<\/a>, served as an early convener and connector<\/a> of first spouses, galvanizing their interest in improving child and family well-being.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

First spouses can convene and connect philanthropic partners, faith communities, and others with whom they have formed relationships, such as local children\u2019s hospitals, food banks, and experts in the field. Former<\/strong> First Lady Tracey Quillen Carney of Delaware<\/strong> noted that first spouses can \u201cpass the microphone around\u201d to ensure that a diverse set of voices is heard. Former First Lady Angela Ducey of Arizona<\/strong> worked with the Governor\u2019s Council on Child Safety and Family Empowerment<\/a> to mobilize the faith community in Arizona to support children in foster care. More than 16,000 children in Arizona have been served through CarePortal<\/a>, a network of churches aiming to safely prevent children from entering foster care and meet their tangible needs. Former First Lady Donna Edwards of Louisiana<\/strong> also viewed herself as a connector, explaining: \u201cWe don\u2019t need to reinvent the wheel. We just need to be encouragers and connectors. So many people are doing so much work but everybody is working in silos. Previously, there was no connection because people were just working hard and doing everything they needed to do, but they were not connected.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

First Lady Abby Cox of Utah <\/strong>explained: \u201cI\u2019m at this nexus point. I\u2019m adjacent to government agencies like the Utah Department of Health and Human Services and the Division of Child and Family Services, I\u2019m adjacent to all the nonprofits and the donor class, and I\u2019m connected with the governor\u2019s office and the executive branch and legislators. As I started to connect the dots, I realized that a lot of these disparate organizations were working in obscurity and weren\u2019t actually working together on all these things.\u201d Tonya Myrup, director of the Utah Division of Child and Family Services, said of the First Lady, \u201cShe brought us all together and said, \u2018We recognize some of you are competing for the same resources, and it’s limited. But how do we come together and work more effectively as a larger child welfare system to improve outcomes for children and families?\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

First Lady Stitt of Oklahoma <\/strong>also noted the importance of community partnerships and connecting people to one another: \u201cThere are so many people out in the community doing great work. But sometimes the need is literally around the corner, and they have no idea.\u201d She also suggested learning from other first spouses: \u201cI have learned a ton listening to other first spouses sharing their trials and errors and their journeys.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n \n \n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

\n
\n\n \n

Asking questions and disrupting routines<\/h2>\n \n \n \n

First Lady Cox <\/strong>noted that it can be helpful to ask questions: \u201cSometimes it\u2019s good to come in a little bit na\u00efve. You want to have a little bit of \u2018I don\u2019t know what I\u2019m doing \u2014 let\u2019s do it together.\u2019 Find out who the players are through the governor\u2019s office and different organizations. Bring them together and ask, \u2018OK, now, how does this work? And how do you do this?\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n \n \n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

\n
\n\n \n \n \n \n

In 2022,\u00a0Casey Family Programs\u00a0<\/strong>convened a First Spouses\u2019 Youth Mental Health Summit in Washington, D.C. Five First Ladies, all current at the time, attended \u2014 Lauren Baker of Massachusetts, Tracey Quillen Carney of Delaware, Abby Cox of Utah, Susanne Shore of Nebraska, and Sarah Stitt of Oklahoma \u2014 along with state delegations that included youth and pediatricians. Two now-former U.S. Department of Health and Human Services officials \u2014 January Contreras, assistant secretary for the Administration for Children and Families, and Miriam Delphin-Rittmon, assistant secretary for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration \u2014 also attended. During roundtable discussions, youth shared their experiences, their thoughts on how the government can positively impact young people\u2019s mental health, and what community-level changes would positively impact mental health delivery systems. First Spouses, pediatricians, and other attendees also shared their thoughts. The summit closed with each state delegation sharing key takeaways and plans for promoting youth mental health in their respective states.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n \n \n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

\n
\n\n \n \n \n \n

<\/p>\n

Kevin Jackson, assistant director of the Utah Division of Child and Family Services, agreed that it is helpful for a first spouse to come with questions such as: What are your initiatives like? What are you as a child welfare agency trying to bolster? What challenges are you experiencing?<\/em> \u201cIt would be an amazing opportunity to share some priorities and see where that aligns with their interests or initiatives,\u201d Jackson said.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

First Lady Sarah Stitt <\/strong>noted that sometimes mindsets need to change, and first spouses can encourage that: \u201cYou can come across this perspective of, \u2018Well, this is the way we\u2019ve always done it,\u2019 and people don\u2019t want to change or look at evidence-based practices and data. But we can say, \u2018OK, maybe we\u2019ve always done it that way but we\u2019re the highest in this statistic or the lowest in that \u2014 and we shouldn\u2019t be.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n \n \n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

\n
\n\n \n

Amplifying existing work and partnerships<\/h2>\n \n \n \n

Some first spouses build new partnerships, while others strengthen and uplift those already in place. Former First Lady Baker<\/strong> developed Massachusetts\u2019 Wonderfund<\/a> \u2014 a nonprofit that works on behalf of children engaged with the state\u2019s child protection agency \u2014 out of a smaller existing organization. In Arkansas, after former First Lady Hutchinson<\/strong> took a tour to learn about the important work of children\u2019s advocacy centers, she promoted their work and advocated to expand the network of centers.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

First spouses also can enhance existing programs by convening and connecting organizations that previously have not worked together. Bring Up Nebraska<\/a> and Trauma Matters Delaware<\/a> are examples of collaborations that have built on existing resources. \u201cHonoring what\u2019s already in place always seems to be a good starting point, and where we need to add things, we do,\u201d Former First Lady Quillen Carney <\/strong>said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n \n \n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

\n
\n
\n

It was really important to me that as we evolved the organization (Wonderfund) and changed it, we did it in a way that was really smart, business-oriented, and sustainable. We\u2019re trying to make sure that these resources and opportunities will keep going no matter who the first lady is. The need will be there. We have to make sure that everything we do is sustainable. As long as we keep that front and center in our strategic planning, we won\u2019t start programs or deliver services that can\u2019t be replicated or scaled.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

— Lauren Baker, Former First Lady of Massachusetts<\/cite><\/figcaption>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n
\n
\n\n \n

Planning for sustainability<\/h2>\n \n \n \n

Recognizing that governors\u2019 time in office is limited but that deeply entrenched issues affecting child and family well-being persist well beyond their terms, many first spouses plan for the sustainability of their work. Rather than referring to an effort as \u201cThe First Spouse\u2019s Project,\u201d they aim to promote community ownership of the issue and the solutions. Former<\/strong> First Lady Susanne Shore of Nebraska<\/strong> pointed to Bring Up Nebraska as an example: \u201cWe have never said that this is my idea or my project. We talk about it being something I support and that I partner with. But when it becomes \u2018my project,\u2019 it dies.\u201d Indeed, Bring Up Nebraska continues to support children and families statewide even as the state has a new governor.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

First Lady Cox <\/strong>also is planning for sustainability: \u201cI feel like we are on the clock to get our programs self-sustaining by the time we leave office. In four years, I plan to have our program self-sustaining with ongoing funding from the Legislature and an endowment from private donors.\u201d In support of sustainability, Show Up Utah is collecting data to track impact. \u201cWe\u2019ve been strategic on data collection and making sure that we have actual research,\u201d First Lady Cox said. \u201cWe hired an impact study group, and they are informing us as we go.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

First Lady Stitt <\/strong>was encouraged to plan for sustainability from the start. Although she was reluctant to start her own foundation, other first spouses told her, \u201cIf you don\u2019t have your own foundation, in a matter of months after the governor leaves office, all the work you\u2019ve done within the state government will be gone.\u201d She started the Sarah Stitt Hope Foundation, which runs Hope Rising Oklahoma<\/a>. She said she is \u201cfocused on building programs and initiatives that are deeply embedded in communities. I believe if you can embed strategies within the agencies deeply enough, you have something that will last beyond.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n \n \n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

\n
\n
\n

Casey Family Programs consults with individuals and teams across the country to compile research, experiences, and insights about approaches that can safely reduce the need for foster care and ensure the well-being of children and families. We share this information broadly to help child welfare leaders and their partners tackle similar issues in their own communities. For questions about this resource, or if you have other child welfare information needs, please email kmresources@casey.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n
\n
\n

<\/p>\n

1 This brief, originally published April 6, 2022, is based on interviews with Tracey Quillen Carney, former First Lady of Delaware, Feb. 10, 2021; Susanne Shore, former First Lady of Nebraska, Feb. 11, 2021; Angela Ducey, former First Lady of Arizona, and Maria Fuentes, former director of the Governor\u2019s Office of Youth, Faith and Family in Arizona, Feb. 26, 2021; Lauren Baker, former First Lady of Massachusetts, March 22, 2021; Susan Hutchinson, former First Lady of Arkansas, March 29, 2021; Donna Edwards, former First Lady of Louisiana, and Marketa Walters, former secretary of the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services, May 5, 2021. It has been updated to reflect these first spouses no longer are serving in those roles, and includes new information based on interviews with current First Lady Sarah Stitt of Oklahoma, Jan. 16, 2025; Tonya Myrup, director of the Utah Division of Child and Family Services, and Kevin Jackson, assistant director of the Utah Division of Child and Family Services, Jan. 21, 2025; and current First Lady Abby Cox of Utah, Jan, 22, 2025. Other first spouses also are working on issues related to child and family well-being but were not interviewed for this brief.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

\n
\n\n \n \n \n \n