SOWK 706 Mental Health and Social Policy: Policy & Research Organizations

The primary mission of the Foundation is to foster public policies, human-service reforms, and community supports that more effectively meet the needs of today’s vulnerable children and families.

The Cato Institute is a non-profit policy research foundation that resides on the conservative/libertarian side of the political spectrum. Policy analyses, briefs and reports are available online.

"The Center for American Progress is an independent nonpartisan educational institute dedicated to improving the lives of Americans through progressive ideas and action."

"The Center for Family Policy and Practice is a progressive nonprofit organization with expertise in child support and social welfare policies. We advocate for policies, programs, and services that respond to the needs of low-income individuals, families, and communities." A focus of CFFPP is on barriers faced by never-married, low- income fathers and their families.

CLASP is a national, nonprofit organization that conducts research, policy analysis, and advocacy on issues related to economic security for low-income families with children. This site is a rich source of electronic publications on many issues including welfare policy, child welfare, child support and low-income fathers, couples and marriage policy, and child care and early education.

Using data, extensive community experience and a focus on results, CSSP promotes public policies that strengthen families and protect and lift children from poverty. The Center was founded in 1979 to assist federal, state, and local governments in improving human services for low-income and other disadvantaged populations. Its mission is to effect change through the analysis of existing policies and the development of new ones.

A policy institute and nonpartisan research organization that analyzes a range of government programs and polices, with an emphasis on those affecting low and moderate income people. Areas of research include low-income housing, poverty and income, welfare reform/TANF, food assistance, and health policies

"The Economic Policy Institute (EPI) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank created in 1986 to include the needs of low- and middle-income workers in economic policy discussions."

The Institute produces a wide range of resources on topics pertaining to sexual and reproductive health.

The Kaiser Family Foundation is a non-profit, private organization focusing on the major health issues facing the nation. The website features publications and data.

The Heritage Foundation is a conservative think tank that promotes public policies based on "…the principles of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, and a strong national defense."

Research areas include children/families, communities, urban policy, and poverty/inequality.

As its name indicates, this policy organization is devoted to issues that are relevant to women and their families. There are links to the institute's research and public policy areas such as poverty, welfare and income security, work and family, and the status of women in the states. See also the Publications link.

This social policy research organization focuses on low-income people. Policy areas covered include public education, children and families, workers and communities, and welfare and barriers to employment.

This site provides state-by-state information and news on innovative public policies in the states, as well as statistics. Easy access to information is through the Issues link.

"The mission of PolicyLab at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia is to achieve optimal child health and well-being by informing program and policy changes through interdisciplinary research. PolicyLab develops evidence-based solutions for the most challenging health-related issues affecting children."

The Population Reference Bureau was established in 1929 and is a private, nonprofit organization that gathers, interprets and disseminates information about U.S. and international population trends and their policy implications. The "Data Finder" is great and there are numerous reports including PRB Reports on America, World Population Data Sheet, Population Bulletin.

A University of Michigan initiative that aims to prevent and alleviate poverty through action-based research that informs policymakers, community organizations, government entities, and practitioners about what works in confronting poverty.

RAND provides research and analysis covering many policy issues, including children, population and aging, education, health and health care.