What Do Political Shifts and State Budget Troubles Mean for Children’s Programs?

Join us at the upcoming Thursday's Child public policy forum in Washington, D.C. on America's children and youth, their families and communities. This event is free.

Online registration closes one day in advance. If you missed this deadline, you can register via e-mail at publicaffairs@urban.org.

We are also offering a live video webcast of the event. To watch go to http://www.ustream.tv/channel/urban-institute-events

What Do Political Shifts and State Budget Troubles Mean for Children’s Programs?

Election Day 2010 brought major changes to state capitals: 28 new governors, an estimated 25 percent turnover in legislative seats, and shifts in party control in 17 governors’ mansions and 22 legislative chambers. As the new governors take office and appoint their cabinets and senior advisers, they face tough choices about priorities for funding, staffing, and attention. While most post-election commentary explores federal changes, when it comes to funding and delivering children’s services, the lion’s share of public resources are state and local. Mix in the budgetary blues besetting most states and the effects of a still-sluggish economy on families, and 2011 will be a challenging and unpredictable year for state policymakers and children.

Join us for a probing conversation about what’s ahead as governors, legislators, and newly appointed agency leaders consider how to fund, design, and reform programs for children and families in a very tough budgetary and political environment.  

Panelists:

• Brenda Donald, vice president, Center for Effective Family Services and Systems, Annie E. Casey Foundation; former secretary, Maryland Department of Human Resources
• Olivia Golden, Institute fellow; former director, Child and Family Services Agency, District of Columbia; author, Reforming Child Welfare (moderator)
• Christine Norbut-Mozes, assistant commissioner, New Jersey Department of Children and Families
• Christine Vestal, manager and senior staff writer, Stateline.org
• Tracy Wareing, executive director, American Public Human Services Association; former director, Arizona Department of Economic Security