The following resources provide information, examples, and tools that are helpful in educating professionals, policymakers, and students about family policy. For more information about family policy, please visit the Policy Institute for Family Impact Seminars website.
Family Policy Publications
Books
Anderson, E.A., Skinner, D., & Letiecq, B.L. (2004). Teaching family policy: A handbook of course syllabi, teaching strategies and resources (2nd Edition). Minneapolis, MN: National Council on Family Relations.
National Council on Family Relations (2000). Public policy through a family lens: Sustaining families in the 21st century. Minneapolis, MN: National Council on Family Relations.
***These books can both be purchased through the National Council on Family Relations Catalog of Resources webpage***
Book Chapters
Anderson, E. A., Braun, B., & Walker, S.K. (2006). Teaching family policy: Advocacy skills education. In D.L. Berke & S.K. Wisensale (Eds.). The craft of teaching about families: Strategies and tools (pp. 63-78). New York: Haworth Press, Inc.
Forry, N.D. & Anderson, E.A. (2006). The Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit: A policy anaylsis. In L. Haas & S. Wisensale (Eds.), Families and social policy: National and international perspectives (pp. 159-176). Binghamton, NY: The Haworth Press, Inc.
Research Articles
Anderson, E. A., Braun, B., & Walker, S.K. (2005). Teaching family policy: Advocacy skills education. Journal of Marriage and Family Review, 38, 61-76.
Braun, B. (2008) Rural low-income mothers: Persistent problems, possible interventions. Online Journal of Rural Research and Policy, 6. 1-18. Available here
Braun, B. & Williams, S. (2008). Sizing up America: Strategy for public policy engagement. Journal of Family & Consumer Sciences. 100(2), 55-56.
Braun, B., & Williams, S. (2002). We the people: Renewing the commitment to civic engagement. Journal of Family and Consumer Sciences, 94(3), 8-19. Available here
Forry, N.D., & Anderson, E.A. (2006). The Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit: A policy analysis. Journal of Marriage and Family Review, 39(1-2), 159-176.
Grutzmacher, S. & Braun, B. (2008). Key differences between food secure and food insecure mothers in rural, low-income families. An analysis of three waves of the Rural Families Speak study. Journal of Hunger and Environmental Nutrition, 2, 81-92.
Liechty, J.M., & Anderson, E. A. (2007). Flexible workplace policies: Lessons from the Federal Alternative Work Schedules Act. Family Relations, 56, 304-317. Available here
Quach, A.S. & Anderson, E.A. (2008). Implications of China’s Open Door Policy for families. Journal of Family Issues, 29(8), 1089-1103. Available here
Simmons, L. A., Anderson, E. A., & Braun, B. (2008). Health needs and health care utilization among rural, low-income women. Women & Health, 47(4), 53-69.
Veseley, C.K. & Anderson, E.A. (2009). Child Care and Development Fund: A thematic policy analysis. Journal of Sociology and Social Welfare, 36(1), 39-59. Available here
Evaluation Reports
Anderson, E.A, & Grutzmacher, S. (2005). Dads Make a Difference: Final evaluation report. Baltimore, MD: Department of Human Resources and Child Support Enforcement Administration, State of Maryland.
Anderson, E.A., & McClintock-Comeaux, M.S. (2005). Maryland Food Nutrition Education Program: A Meta-analysis evaluation report. Maryland Cooperative Extension, University of Maryland, College Park, MD.
Other Publications
Anderson, E.A., & Feldman, M. (1993). Family-centered health policy. In S. Price & B. Elliott (Eds.). Vision 2010: Families & Health Care, (pp. 38-40). Minneapolis: National Council on Family Relations. Available here
Family Impact Analysis
Family Impact Analysis critically examines the past, present, or probable future effects of a policy, program, or service on family health and well-being. Family Impact Analysis examines how program goals may benefit families or produce unintended negative consequences. Use the Checklist for Assessing the Impact of Policies on Families to learn more about family impact analyses.
Family Policy Tools
Policy for Results
An online set of tools for focusing policy strategies on achieving measurable results for kids and families. This website provides research-based policy strategies shown to achieve the targeted results.
“Six I’s” Policy Analysis Organizing Tool
A tool to help analyze proposed or existing policy
A Citizen’s Guide to Family-Focused Policy
Ladder of Inference: A Tool for Working Through Policy
State Family Impact Seminars
Policy Institute for Family Impact Seminars – the repository of all Family Impact Seminar briefing reports and newsletters produced in 27 states and the District of Columbia. Located at the University of Wisconsin-Madison/Extension.
States in the Policy Institute Network:

Alabama
Arizona
District of Columbia Family Policy Seminars
Florida
Georgia Family Policy Seminars
Hawaii
Illinois Family Policy Seminars
Indiana Family Impact Seminars
Iowa
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maryland Family Policy Impact Seminars
Massachusetts
Michigan Family Impact Seminars
Minnesota Family Impact Seminars
Mississippi
Montana
Nebraska Family Impact Seminars
New Mexico Family Impact Seminars
North Carolina Family Impact Seminars
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon Family Impact Seminar
Pennsylvania
Texas
Utah
Virginia Family Impact Seminars
Wisconsin Family Impact Seminars