MDRC’s families and children studies aim to deepen public understanding of how the life chances of low-income children and youth are influenced by policies that affect their families’ economic circumstances, family relationships, or the opportunities available for child and youth development.  more

Investing in the Emotional and Behavioral Development of Preschoolers Young children who can interact well with teachers and peers are more likely to succeed in preschool and beyond. This six-minute video, produced by The MacArthur Foundation, profiles MDRC’s Foundations of Learning Project, a demonstration in Newark and Chicago that is testing an innovative program that combines teacher training with in-class clinical consultation to support children’s emotional and behavioral development in preschool. Alternate QuickTime Version Reducing Behavior Problems Among Preschoolers MDRC Participating in Two Social Innovation Fund Projects MDRC’s Study of Conditional Cash Transfers in NYC Featured on NPR’s Morning Edition Brookings to Host July 12 Capitol Hill Forum on MDRC’s Study of Conditional Cash Transfers in NYC

Toward Reduced Poverty Across Generations Early Findings from New York City’s Conditional Cash Transfer Program Targeted toward low-income families in six high-poverty New York City communities, Opportunity NYC-Family Rewards offers cash payments tied to efforts and achievements in children’s education, family preventive health care practices, and parents’ employment. In its first two years, the program substantially reduced poverty and material hardship and had positive results in improving some education, health-related, and work-related outcomes. Policies That Strengthen Fatherhood and Family Relationships What Do We Know and What Do We Need to Know? Transitional Jobs Background, Program Models, and Evaluation Evidence Alternative Welfare-to-Work Strategies for the Hard-to-Employ Testing Transitional Jobs and Pre-Employment Services in Philadelphia