Center for Policy Research News
Mothering in the Time of Coronavirus
Amy Lutz, associate professor of sociology, and co-authors, two Maxwell alumni, focus on remote and essential workers in Central New York, exploring the evolving demands on mothers as well as public policies that may have hindered their ability to balance work and caregiving. Published by University of Massachusetts Press.
See related: COVID-19, Education, Gender and Sex, Parenting & Family
Hamersma Article on Fetal Alcohol Effects Published in Institute for Family Studies Blog
In the U.S., the most common source of developmental disability is fetal alcohol exposure, which can be prevented during pregnancy. Yet supports for individuals with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder and their families are few and far between, writes Sarah Hamersma, associate professor of public administration and international affairs.
See related: Child & Elder Care, Disability, U.S. Health Policy, United States
Heflin Speaks With WTVR-TV About the Economic Impact of Richmond’s Water Crisis
Low income-households will need a month or more to recover financially and that will lead to more issues and needs, says Colleen Heflin, professor of public administration and international affairs. “I would suspect to see increased need for food from food banks. Most likely going to have more utilities going unpaid,” she says.
See related: Food Security, Income, United States, Water
Do Schools Have the Capacity to Provide Free Meals to Every Student?
Heflin Weighs In on Whether or Not RFK Jr. Can ‘Make America Healthy Again’ in BBC Interview
“RFK simply doesn't have jurisdiction over most of the policy levers that he would need to make America healthy again,” says Colleen Heflin, professor of public administration and international affairs.
See related: Federal, Nutrition, U.S. Health Policy, United States
Reforming the Shadow Carceral State
Assistant Professor of Sociology Gabriela Kirk-Werner and co-authors examine the repeal of prison pay-to-stay policies in the United States. Published in Theoretical Criminology.
See related: Crime & Violence, Economic Policy, Human Rights, State & Local, United States
The Meatpacking Industry Needs Stronger Worker Protections and Enhanced Oversight
Beyond Social Determinants: Fiscal Determinants of Overdose Death in US Counties, 2017–2020
Michah Rothbart, associate professor of public administration and international affairs, and co-authors examine the ways in which county fiscal constraints may be associated with responses to the opioid epidemic. Published in Social Science & Medicine.
See related: Longevity, Opioids, State & Local, U.S. Health Policy, United States
Driving Under the Influence of Allergies: The Effect of Seasonal Pollen on Traffic Fatalities
In this study, Associate Professor of Economics Monica Deza and her co-author find evidence that a prevalent and transitory exogenous health-shock, namely pollen allergies, increases traffic fatalities. Published in the Journal of Health Economics.
See related: Infrastructure, United States, Urban Issues
Yingyi Ma Cited in Nature Article on the Future of Science in the US
Although Chinese-student enrollment at U.S. universities has rebounded since the pandemic, China’s best and brightest might be shying away, says Yingyi Ma, professor of sociology. Soaring anti-China rhetoric probably plays a part, she says, but so do expanding opportunities for Chinese graduate students at home, and the growing challenges to obtain work visas.
See related: China, Education, Government, International Affairs
Waiving Physical Presence Requirements During the COVID-19 Pandemic Increased WIC Caseloads
Differences in PTSD Between US Civilians and Military Veterans in Gulf War and Post-9/11 War Cohorts
See related: Mental Health, United States, Veterans
Does the Reference Period Matter When Evaluating the Effect of SNAP on Food Insecurity?
In this paper, Colleen Heflin and co-author examine if protective effects of SNAP against food insecurity are obtained whether using the 30-day or 12-month food insecurity scale. Results indicate comparable average treatment effects across both reference periods. Published in Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy.
See related: Food Security, U.S. Health Policy, United States
Colleen Heflin Appointed to Committee on National Statistics
The committee is part of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine and provides guidance to the federal government.
See related: Federal, Food Security, Nutrition, Promotions & Appointments, U.S. Health Policy
How Can We Improve Educational Experiences for Refugee Students in Poland?
Behavioural Patterns of Leaders versus Followers in Setting Local Sales Tax Policy
Using a 40-year panel dataset from Texas, Yilin Hou and co-author identify leader municipalities in changing sales tax rates and examine how municipalities asymmetrically respond to multi-tiered rate changes. Published in Fiscal Studies: The Journal of Applied Public Economics.
See related: State & Local, Taxation, United States
How Does the Reauthorization of the Farm Bill Impact SNAP?
Heflin Quoted in Newsweek Article on the Farm Bill Reauthorization and Its Impact on SNAP Benefits
“If the appropriations bills are not passed by the end of December, January benefits will still go out because SNAP benefits are obligated in the prior month (December),” says Colleen Heflin, professor of public administration and international affairs.
See related: Agriculture, Food Security, Nutrition, U.S. Health Policy, United States
Kids in Limbo: War, Uncertainty, and the School Experiences of Ukrainian Refugee Students in Poland
Findings by Amy Lutz, associate professor of sociology, and Ph.D. student Iwona B. Franczak, suggest changes to family and school routines caused by the war hindered academic performance and social–emotional well-being of some Ukrainian school-age refugees regardless of mothers' advantageous socio-economic backgrounds. Published in Sociological Forum.
Evidence-based Practices and US State Government Civil Servants
This university-government-nonprofit collaborative research project aims to better understand how civil servants access and use evidence in their decision-making process. Published in Public Administration Review.
See related: Government, State & Local, United States