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Family Impact Seminars |
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Clark University, Department of Psychology, Worcester, MA |
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Family Impact Seminars (FIS) are nonpartisan seminars designed to translate research to policymakers on topics related to families. The purposes of FIS are to better connect high quality research and public policy, and to promote policymaking that takes families into account. Issues that can be addressed in a FIS include (but are not limited to): after school programs, early childhood care and education, juvenile crime, welfare reform, child maltreatment, domestic violence, family health and healthcare issues, high school dropout prevention, gay/lesbian marriage and adoption, family poverty and economic security, divorce and child custody issues, teenage pregnancy, substance use and abuse, and mental health. The efficacy of these seminars in translating research to policy and in effecting change in policy has been supported by research (e.g., Bogenschneider, 2006). To conduct an FIS, a university is accepted into membership in a coalition organized by the Policy Institute at the University of Wisconsin. Clark’s Mosakowski Institute for Public Enterprise, directed by James Gomes, represents Massachusetts as the 25th state to take part in the FIS and will begin to organize its first seminar, to be presented in 2010. The annual seminars will take place at or near the State House and include 2-3 expert speakers, discussion sessions, and briefing reports. One timely topic will be covered each year. Denise A. Hines, Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology, will direct the program. The seminars are targeted to state policymakers, including legislators, legislative aides, governor’s office staff, and agency representatives. Reference: Bogenschneider, Karen (2006). How can we connect research and knowledge with state policymaking? Lessons from the Wisconsin Family Impact Seminars. In K. Bogenschneider (Ed.), Family policy matters: How policymaking affects families and what professionals can do, 2nd edition (pp. 245-276). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.
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