Once the research design is established, the data collected, and the proper calculations made, researchers must still ask, "What do these findings mean for real families in real situations? And what are the policy implications for government, business, and family-serving organizations?" In other words, "So what?" In this issue, we attempt to help researchers answer this question. We offer suggestions on how to present research findings to policymakers and engage students in policy discussions. We also explore the relationship between public policy and child care, child custody, single-mother families and other issues.
Carrie Saxon Perry, the former mayor of Hartford, Connecticut, once defined poverty as a lack of options: "The less choice you have, the poorer you are." That describes the life of working-poor families. A lack of living-wage jobs often means that families must live in unsafe housing, forego healthcare, or eat whatever they can find at the food shelf. In this issue, we explore the lives of those who are "trying to make a way outa' no way."
In 1996, the U.S. shifted to a "work first" welfare system. For example, the work exemption for parents of children under 3 years of age was repealed, and less emphasis was placed on skills development and education. In this issue, we explore the effects of welfare reform on families and children and look at ways to facilitate the transition from welfare to work.
