The Maryland Family Policy Impact Seminar:

• Analyzes the effects of policies and programs on the health and well-being of families
• Provides policymakers with a neutral, nonpartisan forum for fostering dialogue and seeking common ground

The Seminar provides various activities around specific issues that impact family health and well-being, including:

• Seminars
• Forums
• Briefing reports
• Roundtable discussions
• Follow-up activities

The Maryland Family Policy Impact Seminar is directed by the Department of Family Science in the School of Public Health at the University of Maryland, College Park and is part of a national network of state Family Impact Seminars.

Goals:

• Encourage policymakers to consider how policies and programs affect family health and well-being
• Promote the role of health literacy in public health policy
• Identify timely issues of interest to state policymakers
• Provide research that is useful for developing policies that strengthen and support families across the life cycle
• Facilitate communication and establish linkages among researchers, policymakers, and policy implementers.

Unique Features:

• A family and health perspective in policymaking
• Objective, nonpartisan research and information
• Varied forms of dissemination based on the needs of local and state policymakers
• Proactive rather than reactive approach