Grounding solutions for children and families in solid data and reliable evidence
To inform our work and guide our investments, we regularly commission research on children and families and evaluate the effectiveness of our programs and strategies.
Research and Policy
<p>To inform our work and guide our investments, we regularly commission <a href="/work/research-and-policy/research-and-evaluation">research on children and families</a> and evaluate the effectiveness of <a href="/work">our programs and strategies</a>.</p>
Research and program evaluation are key components of @AECFNews strategy.
https://www.aecf.org/work/research-and-policy
To increase the use of interventions that make a difference, we share lessons from our work with partners, scholars and practitioners. Toward this end, we also support the dissemination of evidence-based practices and policy advocacy to support evidence-based programs.
Research and Policy
<p>To increase the use of interventions that make a difference, we <a href="/search">share lessons from our work</a> with partners, scholars and practitioners. Toward this end, we also support the <a href="/work/evidence-based-practice">dissemination of evidence-based practices</a> and <a href="/work/research-and-policy/state-and-federal-policy-reform">policy advocacy to support evidence-based programs</a>.</p>
To make a difference, @AECFNews shares lessons from its work.
https://www.aecf.org/work/research-and-policy
The issues affecting children and families are complex, and resources are limited. To help organizations make the most of their dollars, we promote the use of performance measurement within the social sector.
Research and Policy
<p>The issues affecting children and families are complex, and resources are limited. To help organizations make the most of their dollars, we promote the use of <a href="/resources/leading-for-results">performance measurement within the social sector</a>.</p>
To help nonprofits make most of their dollars, @AECFNews promotes performance measurement.
https://www.aecf.org/work/research-and-policy
Influencing the development and implementation of sound policies by state and federal policymakers and system leaders
We fund nonpartisan policy research and analyses that help policymakers and administrators enact policies and programs that increase opportunity for families, improve child well-being and reduce racial and ethnic disparities.
Research and Policy
<p>We fund nonpartisan policy research and analyses that help policymakers and administrators enact policies and programs that increase <a href="/work/economic-opportunity">opportunity for families</a>, improve child well-being and <a href="/search?title=Racial%20Equity&fq[]=topics_id:115">reduce racial and ethnic disparities</a>.</p>
See how @AECFNews funds research and analyses to promote smart policies for kids and families.
https://www.aecf.org/work/research-and-policy
We identify and advocate for policy reforms that support the best practices we uncover through our strategic consulting with public child welfare and juvenile justice systems.
Research and Policy
<p>We identify and advocate for policy reforms that support the best practices we uncover through our strategic consulting with public <a href="/work/child-welfare">child welfare</a> and <a href="/work/juvenile-justice">juvenile justice</a> systems.</p>
By consulting with childwelfare and #jj systems, @AECFNews is identifying best practices.
https://www.aecf.org/work/research-and-policy
We promote effective administration of essential safety-net programs — notably, Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Social Security survivors benefits and the State Children’s Health Insurance Program — that are proven to lift families out of poverty.
Research and Policy
<p>We promote effective administration of essential safety-net programs — notably, <a href="http://ccf.georgetown.edu/medicaid/about-medicaid/" target="_blank">Medicaid</a>, the <a href="http://frac.org/federal-foodnutrition-programs/snapfood-stamps/" target="_blank">Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program</a>, <a href="http://www.urban.org/welfare/tanf.cfm" target="_blank">Temporary Assistance for Needy Families</a>, <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/08/opinion/08laracy.html?_r=0" target="_blank">Social Security survivors benefits</a> and the <a href="http://www.cbpp.org/research/?fa=topic&id=73" target="_blank">State Children’s Health Insurance Program</a> — that are proven to lift families out of poverty.</p>
To live families out of #poverty, @AECFNews promotes essential safety-net programs.
https://www.aecf.org/work/research-and-policy
Smart tax policies, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit, are critical to supporting families. Through the State Fiscal Analysis Initiative, we build advocates’ abilities to promote sound tax and budget policies.
Research and Policy
<p>Smart tax policies, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit, are critical to supporting families. Through the <a href="http://www.statefiscal.org/" target="_blank">State Fiscal Analysis Initiative</a>, we build advocates’ abilities to promote sound tax and budget policies.</p>
Smart tax policies are critical to support families connect to opportunity.
https://www.aecf.org/work/research-and-policy
We support opportunities for those involved with and impacted by public systems to advocate for needed policy reforms.
Research and Policy
<p>We support opportunities for those involved with and impacted by public systems to advocate for needed policy reforms.</p>
Raising up the voices of kids and families served by public systems is critical to reform.
https://www.aecf.org/work/research-and-policy
In partnership with federal and state public systems, we incentivize best practices that foster a strong start and lifelong families for kids, connections to school and work for young people, and asset building for adults.
Research and Policy
<p>In partnership with federal and state public systems, we incentivize best practices that foster a strong start and lifelong families for kids, connections to school and work for young people, and asset building for adults.</p>
Partnerships with public systems are leading to better outcomes for kids and families.
https://www.aecf.org/work/research-and-policy
Bolstering the capacity of social scientists, policy experts and practitioners to conduct meaningful research and collect useful data
To improve child outcomes, we must be able to effectively measure how kids are faring. We support efforts to strengthen the quality and accessibility of public data resources.
Research and Policy
<p>To improve child outcomes, we must be able to effectively <a href="/work/kids-count/kids-count-data-center">measure how kids are faring</a>. We support efforts to strengthen the quality and accessibility of public data resources.</p>
Learn how @AECFNews supports @aecfkidscount to measure how kids are faring in the US.
https://www.aecf.org/work/research-and-policy
The data from public systems serving the same group of children are rarely brought together to provide a complete picture of an individual child. Our investments in integrated data systems work to connect information and statistics from different public agencies to improve service coordination.
Research and Policy
<p>The data from public systems serving the same group of children are rarely brought together to provide a complete picture of an individual child. Our investments in <a href="http://www.neighborhoodindicators.org/data-source/222" target="_blank">integrated data systems</a> work to connect information and statistics from different public agencies to improve service coordination.</p>
Integrated data systems can help systems that work with same kids improve services.
https://www.aecf.org/work/research-and-policy
We are providing key investments in technology-related startups that improve the capacity of public systems to make smart decisions and practitioners to meet the needs of children and families.
Research and Policy
<p>We are providing key investments in technology-related startups that improve the capacity of public systems to make smart decisions and <a href="/blog/new-analytical-tool-helps-match-up-kids-and-service-providers-for-better-re">practitioners</a> to meet the needs of children and families.</p>
Technology startups from @AECFNews have potential to help system leaders and practitioners help kids.
https://www.aecf.org/work/research-and-policy
Identify gaps in the availability of critical data and advocate for information system reforms.
Research and Policy
<p>Identify gaps in the availability of critical data and advocate for information system reforms.</p>
Are current information systems hindering reforms of public systems to help kids and families?
https://www.aecf.org/work/research-and-policy
Cultivating champions for our ideas and solutions among nonprofit leaders and other funders
To connect our data and strategies with legislators and public system leaders, we work closely with a number of nonpartisan organizations for policymakers at all levels of government.
Research and Policy
<p>To connect our data and strategies with legislators and public system leaders, we work closely with a number of <a href="/work/research-and-policy/national-policy-partners">nonpartisan organizations for policymakers</a> at all levels of government.</p>
We are proud to partner with a number of nonpartisan orgs for policymakers.
https://www.aecf.org/work/research-and-policy
Recognizing it takes a variety of resources to set all children on the path to success, we regularly collaborate with other funders, philanthropic affinity groups and national nonprofit partners to share promising practices and bring together more resources in support of kids and families.
Research and Policy
<p>Recognizing it takes a variety of resources to set all children on the path to success, we regularly collaborate with other funders, <a href="/work/research-and-policy/philanthropy-partners">philanthropic affinity groups</a> and <a href="/work/research-and-policy/national-civic-partners">national nonprofit partners</a> to share promising practices and bring together more resources in support of kids and families.</p>
To bring its ideas to scale, @AECFNews works with key philanthropic and nonprofit orgs.
https://www.aecf.org/work/research-and-policy