Family Policy Election Guide -- 2008
In an effort to inform voters about where the two major presidential candidates stand on family-relevant issues, doctoral students in the Department of Family Science at the University of Maryland compiled this family and health policy issues voting guide. The guide presents an objective, non-partisan collection of information comparing candidates on important family/health policies such as national health care, early childhood education, stem-cell research, home ownership, immigration, same-sex marriage, veteran health care, and Medicare. Find the guide at: Family Election Guide.

Conference Explores the Unique Policy Needs and Challenges of Male Caregivers
On September 5, the Department of Family Science hosted a conference titled, "Male Caregiving: Creating a Research, Programmatic and Policy Agenda for an Emerging Public Health Issue." Experts in the field addressed the unique strengths, challenges, and needs of men caring for children with special needs, spouses, partners, and the elderly. Evidence-based interventions and promising practices were explored, and male caregivers from the community were invited to share their experiences. The working paper from this conference will be available soon.

Oral Health Among Low-Income Rural Families: Implications for Policy and Progress
A new research brief discussing the importance of oral health details the barriers that low-income families experience in rural communitites and provides policy recommendations to improve access to care. The brief was developed by Ms. Emma Simpson, Undergraduate Research Assistant, Maryland Food Stamp Nutrition Education and Bonnie Braun, Ph.D., Extension Family Policy Specialist, Department of Family Science and was reviewed by Elaine Anderson, Ph.D., Co-Director of the Maryland Family Policy Impact Seminars.

Maryland General Assembly Testimony: Restrictions to Access Pharmaceutical Services & Prescription Drugs Among Rural Maryland Residents
The Maryland Family Policy Impact Seminar, in collaboration with the Rural Maryland Council, the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy and the Maryland Rural Health Association, conducted forums and presented testimony to the 07 General Assembly. The discussion paper based on findings from the forums and the testimony are available here:

Pharmacy Matters to Rural Marylanders: Cost and Consequences--Discussion Paper

Pharmacy Matters to Rural Marylanders: Cost and Consequences--Testimony

The Need for Child Care Subsidies: Challenges Faced by Low Income Families With Young Children in Care
A new research brief on child care subsidies is now available online. Child care subsidies play a large role in assisting low-income single mothers afford adequate quality child care. This brief details the child care choices and issues faced by forty families on the wait list for a child care subsidy in the mid-Atlantic region of the U.S. The brief was developed by Ms. Nikki Forry, a doctoral student in the Family Science Department of the University of Maryland, under the direction of Dr. Sandra Hofferth with input from Dr. Susan Walker and Dr. Bonnie Braun.

Strengthening Rural Maryland Families
The Rural Maryland Families Speak Study found that a substantial number of low-income rural Maryland families are faced with poor mental and physical health, lack of adequate health care services, and high cost of health care services that exceed inadequate insurance.  Key findings from this longitudinal study highlighted the need for expanded family strengthening programs in rural Maryland.  With funding from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, the Rural Maryland Council was able to address these needs through the Strengthening Rural Maryland Families direct services grants program.  Over two grant cycles, twelve family strengthening programs have been funded in community-based organizations in rural counties across the state.  This poster highlights funded programs and outcomes achieved across the two grant periods. The grant program is managed by the University of Maryland Department of Family Science.

Maryland Family Policy Impact Seminar Co-Partners to Offer Forums on Pharmacy Issues for Marylanders in September 2006
Three forums will be held around the state of Maryland to discuss public policy issues related to prescription drugs and access to pharmacists and pharmacies. See the attached link for more information on how to attend a forum and become involved.

The Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit
A new research brief has been published on The Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (CDCTC), which is designed to assist families in paying for child care expenses. This brief details the need for such a tax credit, the current impact of the credit, and its barriers/limitations. Special emphasis is given to the differential impact of the CDCTC among families with diverse incomes.  Ms. Nikki Forry, a doctoral student in the Family Science Department of the University of Maryland, developed the brief under the direction of Dr. Elaine Anderson with input from Dr. Susan Walker and Dr. Bonnie Braun. The brief is located at: The Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit as a Fiscal Resource for Low-Income Families' Payment for Child Care.

Home Visits and School Readiness
Duration of Home Visiting Program and Home Safety Enhance School Readiness is now available online.  This research brief outlines the effects of home visiting on rural, low-income children’s school readiness.  This report is based on an analysis of 164 families and their kindergarten children after participating in a home visiting program in Garrett County, MD.  Christine Schull, Ph.D., completed the investigation under the direction of Drs. Elaine Anderson and Bonnie Braun as her dissertation research.  Recommendations include maintaining program duration, implementation of new parental knowledge or home environment measures, and continued emphasis on home safety and collaboration with local agencies for impacting school readiness.

Read the new brief here.

Gay Adoption Laws
There is a new policy research brief available regarding state-level anti-gay adoption policies that may not support Federal adoption priorities. The brief finds that states with anti-gay adoption laws or policies have a larger proportion of children waiting in foster care than states with neutral or gay-friendly adoption laws or policies. Doctoral students Sarah Kaye and Katherine A. Kuvalanka conceptualized and completed the study, and Dr. Mark Hugo Lopez, Dr. Sandra Hofferth, Dr. Elaine Anderson, and Dr. Bonnie Braun offered their guidance, feedback, and support. The brief is located at: State Gay Adoption Laws and Permanency for Foster Youth.

Engaging Unheard Voices
Engaging Unheard Voices, the report of a two-year research project funded by the Charles F. Kettering Foundation, is now available on line. The project investigated the question of conditions under which limited resource citizens can and will engage in deliberative public policy projects. The project identified barriers and how to overcome them. It will also serve as the basis for citizenship and leadership education in the months ahead. Dr. Bonnie Braun led a team of faculty and graduate and undergraduate students in the investigation. She and her team are available to share the findings in person and lead discussions about implications. Find out more about Engaging Unheard Voices here.

Substance Use Among Low-Income Rural Families
A new policy brief is available on the use of drugs, alcohol and tobacco use among low-income rural families.  The brief is based on an analysis of 414 mothers reporting for their families in a multi-state USDA study known as Rural Families Speak.  Lis Fost Maring, Department of Family Science Doctoral Candidate completed the investigation under the direction of Dr. Bonnie Braun, PI for the Maryland portion of the study.  The brief is located at: Drug, Alcohol, and Tobacco Use in Rural, Low-Income Families:  An Ecological Risk and Resilience Perspective.

Sizing Up America

Bonnie Braun, Ph.D., is co-author of "The Sizing of America: A Public Issues Approach to Obesity." Stephanie Grutzmacher and Sarah Kaye, Department of Family Science doctoral students, served on the national committee responsible for compiling the materials. The initiative was funded by the Charles F. Kettering Foundation and the American Association of Family Consumer Sciences. Citizens in communities and students in classes can use the Sizing Up America materials below:

The Weight of the Matter PowerPoint Presentation
Convener-Moderator-Reporting Guide
Information Sheets
Participant Feedback Form
Framework Guide
Obesity as a Public Policy Issue PowerPoint Presentation

Please contact Dr. Braun with any questions.

Obesity
Obesity is in the news and under study by researchers at the University of Maryland's Department of Family Science.  Dr. Sandra Hofferth examined whether income is linked to being overweight in school-age children and then explored whether federal food programs such as the Food Stamp Program, the National School Lunch Program, and the School Breakfast Program are associated with being overweight among children in different income groups.  Her research methods and findings are available in a new brief located at:
Food_Programs_Brief

Prescription Drugs
Prescription drug policy analysis is being conducted collaboratively by the Rural Maryland Council, the Maryland Rural Health Association, and the University of Maryland's Family Policy Impact Seminar. The goal is to help Maryland citizens and policy makers understand possible impacts of the federal Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003. A policy analysis tool, with questions and references, is available at:
Issues Surrounding Medicare Reform for Maryland

Prescription Drug Policy Analysis Tool

Food Stamps
Food stamps can make a difference for families facing lack of food. Dr. Sandra Hofferth conducted an analysis of food stamp use and food security for the USDA. Some of her findings are presented in a short brief at:
Hofferth_Food_Security

Health and Nutrition in Low-Income Families
Health and nutrition for low-income residents of Garrett County are highlighted in a talk prepared by Dr. Bonnie Braun and Dr. Elaine Anderson for the Steps to a Healthier Community: Taking the First Steps Conference (Garrett County, MD, June 2004). Community experts and advocates in nutrition, fitness, medicine, education, human resources and business met to discuss community outreach efforts and effective strategies for building collaborative county initiatives to address disease prevention and behavior change, particularly around issues of health, nutrition and exercise. See research findings from:

The Rural Maryland Families Speak research study: Garrett_County_Talk

The Food Stamp Nutrition Education Program:
Coming Together: Steps to a Healthier Community

Food Security and Family Well-Being
University of Maryland Gemstones students completed a team thesis that explored how knowledge of community resources, food security, and satisfaction with the community relate to physical and mental well-being of limited resource families living in urban and rural environments. A short report of their study can be found on the website at:
Gemstone Brief

Health Care Forums
The MFPIS held a series of health care forums for Maryland citizens.  These forums were conducted using the National Issues Forum guide, "Health Care:  What's the Public's Prescription?"  Policy makers may find this information about what their constituencies are thinking to be useful as they consider health care issues affecting Maryland's citizens.  A brief report of citizen's views can be found on this website at:
MD Health Care Forum Brief June 2004