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Research That Informs Policy and Practice to Improve the Lives of Children and Families

For well over a century, SSA faculty members have been at the forefront of rigorous, community-engaged, and impactful scholarhisp on urban children, youth, and families. Today, SSA faculty are focused on advancing evidence-based research that is relevant for policy and practice, making it possible to identify and change systems and practices that too often perpetuate inequalities in urban family life.

SSA research on children, youth, and families demonstrates how:

• the social safety net, employment policies, and the economy affect caregiving practices, work and family well-being, and family economic outcomes;

• public policies, organizations, and professional practices shape opportunities for the healthy development of children and the well-being of families;

• families’ strategies of adaptation and resistance operate to combat stigma and help children, youth, and families navigate the complex dynamics of urban life.