Child Trends

Child Trends along with the Urban Institute and The Fain Group support ICF in administering the SSRC. Therefore, the SSRC has collaborated with Child Trends on many webinars. See the listing below for more details.

Pathways to High-Quality Jobs for Young Adults explored: (1) which job characteristics are relevant to measuring job quality, (2) how education, training, and work-related experiences across the lifespan may contribute to job quality at age 29, and (3) the ways in which interventions and policies can support youth from disadvantaged backgrounds to gain higher quality jobs. The webinar featured report authors Martha Ross from the Brookings Institution and Dr. Kristin Anderson Moore and Dr. Kelly Murphy from Child Trends, along with Dr. Patricia McGuire of Trinity Washington University, who discussed the application of this research to youth education and employment practices. Dr. Kristin Abner of the SSRC facilitated the conversation.

During Multidimensional Poverty in America Webinar, SSRC Emerging Scholar Dr. Anupama Jacob focused on examining multidimensional poverty in America through the lens of race/ethnicity and potential policy implications. She began with a broad overview that explores the different ways that poverty is conceptualized and measured in the U.S. and internationally, and then will discussed how the multidimensional poverty index can be applied in the U.S. context. Dr. Luke Shaefer served as the Discussant, and Dr. Kristin Moore from Child Trends moderated the discussion.

During The Role of Child Care Subsidies in the Lives of Low-Income Children, SSRC Emerging Scholar Dr. Anna Johnson discussed child care subsidies, a key work support designed to promote self-sufficiency among low-income families. Dr. Johnson highlighted the potential of the child care subsidy program to serve not just parental employment goals but also to enhance low-income children's development and preparedness for school.  Ms. Gayle Hamilton served as the Discussant, and Dr. Kristin Anderson Moore from Child Trends moderated the discussion.

During A New Look at Chronic and Transient Poverty Using the Supplemental Poverty Measure, SSRC Emerging Scholar Dr. Sara Kimberlin explored the Supplemental Poverty Measure (SPM), which accounts for a broad range of government benefits, geographic differences in living expenses, and updated poverty thresholds. She examined how the persistence of poverty changes when viewed through the lens of the SPM versus the official U.S. poverty measure. Additionally, Dr. Kimberlin highlighted the role of safety net benefits in mitigating chronic and transient poverty. Dr. William O’Hare served as the Discussant, and Dr. Kristin Moore from Child Trends moderated the discussion.

The Private Safety Net among Low-Income Families with Young Children explored how low-income families use the private safety net to make ends meet. The “private safety net” is defined as assistance from friends and family. Dr. Natasha Pilkauskas, the SSRC Emerging Scholar from September-December 2015, focused on housing, child care, and cash transfers to examine the estimated economic value of this private safety net and compared it to the economic assistance received from public safety net programs like SNAP, the EITC or TANF. Ms. Christianne Lind served as the discussant, and Dr. Kristin Moore from Child Trends moderated the discussion.

On September 24, 2015, the Self-Sufficiency Research Clearinghouse (SSRC) hosted the Using Cost-effectiveness Analysis to Inform Policy Responses to Childhood Obesity Webinar. Due to its impact on child health and lifetime impact on health, healthcare costs and productivity, childhood obesity is an important barrier to self-sufficiency and well-being. During this free Webinar, SSRC Emerging Scholar Dr. Michael Long provided an introduction to simulation models and cost-effectiveness analysis in obesity policy research, including evaluation of four strategies to prevent childhood obesity conducted by the Childhood Obesity Intervention Cost-Effectiveness Study (CHOICES) project.

During Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP): Overview, Reengineering, and Self-Sufficiency Research, Dr. Matthew Marlay (U.S. Census Bureau) described the SIPP, its reengineering, and new content planned for the survey. Ashley Edwards (U.S. Census Bureau) presented on SIPP topic area strengths followed by some highlights from recent SIPP reports focusing on poverty and government program participation dynamics, living arrangements, and readiness for retirement. Zakia Redd (Child Trends) moderated the discussion.

During The Implications of Public Programs as Maternity-Leave among Single, Poor Mothers, Dr. Ybarra discussed her research on the use of cash welfare as a means-tested maternity leave program since the welfare reforms of the 1990’s and on paid leave programs and policies (temporary disability insurance, paid family leave) for new mothers. She also shared findings about the relationships between these programs and economic and material well-being for low-income single mothers with newborns.

 The Impact of Incarceration on Families, Communities, and Offenders focused on the social and economic impacts of incarceration on children, families, communities, and offenders. Dr. Tyner discussed the Campaign for Prison Phone Justice, which explores the costs of prison phone calls, and how financial barriers to communication affect incarcerated individuals, their families, and communities. Dr. Tyner described how her research findings have helped promote community engagement and advance policy changes.

During Panel Study of Income Dynamics: Overview & Research Uses, Dr. Paula Fomby (University of Michigan) described the Panel Study of Income Dynamics (PSID), including its origins, population, genealogical design, ongoing and recent supplements, and frequently asked questions about data use. Dr. Caroline Ratcliffe (Urban Institute) shared an example of research using PSID data to explore childhood poverty persistence, including benefits and limitations of using the PSID. Zakia Redd (Child Trends and SSRC) served as moderator.

Visit the SSRC library to find more relevant resources.