CYFC Children Youth Family Consortium

Policy


	Family Impact Seminars

	Policy Education and Family Impact Seminars Our policy work is grounded in Caplan’s two-communities theory that describes the cultural differences between policymakers and researchers. This theory points to the need for increased communication between policymakers and researchers - evidence suggests that when policymakers do use research evidence to inform policy it depends, in part, on two-way communication among researchers and policymakers. This theory emphasizes the need to understand each culture and the role for intermediaries, like CYFC, as translators and guides between the two. Family Impact Seminars are one of the mechanisms used to connect research and state policymaking by providing state-of-the-art information in an objective, non-partisan manner. Each topical seminar includes forums, briefing reports, and follow-up activities explicitly for legislators, key agencies and staff. Rather than lobbying for particular policies, the seminars offer a range of policy options and provide opportunities for participants to identify common ground. Over half of the states in the country are part of the Policy Institute for National Family Impact Seminars (PINFIS) network and are currently conducting or planning to conduct Family Impact Seminars in their capitols.

Minnesota Family Impact Seminar Resources

Evidence-Informed Policymaking: Increasing Outcomes and Accountability for Children, Youth and Families (2010)

Featuring Dr. Dave Riley, UW-Madison, College of Human Development and Family Studies; Dr. Dale Blyth, UMN-Twin Cities Extension, Center for Youth Development; Judy Randall, Office of the Legislative Auditor; and Frank Forsberg, Greater Twin Cities United Way.

Briefing Report: Evidence-Informed Policymaking: Increasing Outcomes and Accountability for Children, Youth and Families

Briefing Report Appendices: Evidence-Informed Policymaking: Increasing Outcomes and Accountability for Children, Youth and Families

Slides: Evidence-Informed Policymaking

Policy Issues in Special Education Finance (2009)

Featuring Dr. Thomas B. Parrish, Director of the Center for Special Education Finance (CSEF) at the American Institutes for Research (AIR), and Drs. Barbara Troolin and Tom Melcher of the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE)

Briefing Report: Policy Issues in Special Education Finance

Briefing Report Appendix: Policy Issues in Special Education Finance

Additional Resources: Policy Issues in Special Education Finance

Slides: Examining Policies in Special Education Finance

Slides: Considering Special Education Funding in Minnesota - State & National Trends

Options for a Responsive and Accountable Early Childhood System (2008)

Cosponsored by the Bipartisan Minnesota Legislative Early Childhood Caucus
Featuring Louise Stoney of the Alliance for Early Childhood Finance

Briefing Report: Options for a Responsive & Accountable Early Childhood System in MN

Briefing Report Bibliography: Options for a Responsive & Accountable Early Childhood System in MN

Slides: Options for a Responsive & Accountable Early Childhood System in Minnesota

Please contact Sara Benning at sbenning@umn.edu or 612.626.0715 or Dr. Sara Langworthy at spen0128@umn.edu or 612.625.7899 for more information on Family Impact Seminars.