From Research to Policy: Lessons From Individual Development Accounts

This lecture is a case study and reflection on the development of IDAs and asset building for low-and-moderate-income families as a policy innovation. I discuss the formulation and circulation of the idea, work with policy institutes and government officials, the legislative process at federal and state levels, and the role of research. Following the case description, I offer some thoughts on policy innovation, particularly from the standpoint of the applied social sciences.

Project: American Dream Policy Demonstration (ADD)