Childhood obesity, adequate housing, persistent poverty, healthcare, and juvenile justice are family-related concerns that require thoughtful, timely consideration by public officials and practitioners. The Child and Family Policy Initiative is committed to improving governance and public policy in this arena by identifying the most significant challenges affecting it and providing leadership in addressing them. The initiative's approach involves data-driven research, policy analysis, training, and assistance.
Coordinated by the Vinson Institute, the initiative brings together expertise from various units at the University of Georgia: The Fanning Institute, the School of Social Work, the College of Family and Consumer Sciences, the College of Education, and the College of Public Health as well as the Vinson Institute. Collaboration across different organizations allows for the sharing of cutting-edge research and innovative strategies that can be brought to bear on real problems faced by Georgia families.
The Child and Family Policy Initiative engages and advises Georgia's state legislators through its annual Family Impact Seminar. The seminar informs lawmakers about pressing issues affecting children and families.
The 2009 Family Impact Seminar took place at the Georgia State Capitol on Tuesday, January 27. Dr. Sally Wallace from Georgia State University presented lawmakers with results from a recent study examining the economic impact of the state's childcare and learning industry. Additionally, Dr. Geoffrey Nagle from Tulane University described the experiences of Louisiana in improving its early care system through tax credits.
Sen. Dan Weber, Senate Education and Youth Committee Chairperson, welcomed the fresh perspectives brought forward during the 2009 Family Impact Seminar. "The seminar was great because we were able to hear about new ideas and different ways of doing things," he commented. "I appreciated the opportunity to learn about Louisiana's approach to better care and education for children and to hear the presentation about this industry's economic impact in Georgia."
The Family Impact Seminar is part of a nationwide network of partners that advise state legislators on child and family-related policies—The Policy Institute for Family Impact Seminars. As a result of this collaborative venture, some of the states' most significant academic assets are brought to bear on child and family policy.
The Child and Family Policy Initiative was chosen to represent Georgia in this project in 2004. Its first seminar took place in 2005 and another was held in 2008.
