Sara Anderson

“Children, Families, and Public Policy” will provide students with a nuanced understanding of the role of public policies in the lives of children and families. Topics will include the policy process, policy and science, poverty, social indicators, welfare reform, teenage pregnancy, marriage and families, early childhood education, housing and juvenile justice. Students will hear from non-profits, state agencies and NGOs. Ultimately, students will complete a service-related project, completing a needs assessment around one social issue, evaluating the effectiveness of policies on meeting the needs of children and families around that issue.