The St. Louis Public Radio interviewed Jason Jabbari, researcher at SPI, about the harmful effects of student debt, especially on those who did not complete their degree. This article reflect work originally conducted by the Social Policy Institute at Washington University. The Institute integrated with the Center for Social Development in January 2025.
Category: 2021 News
The destabilizing cost of a pandemic: What COVID-19 meant for renters already getting assistance (Links to an external site)
Data from SPI’s survey on the socioeconomic impacts of COVID-19 revealed the vulnerability of renters receiving federal assistance. The findings showed that low-income renters already receiving federal assistance are more likely to be evicted than low-income renters who do not receive federal support. This article reflects work originated by scholars with the Social Policy Institute […]
Food insecurity in Israel during the COVID-19 economic crisis: Prevalence and associations with children’s behaviors
Results from SPI’s Socioeconomic Impacts of COVID-19 Survey in Israel suggested a relationship between the pandemic and rising rates of food insecurity. To explore this, SPI launched another survey, with the results linking food insecurity to behavioral problems in children.
CSD releases new tools for educators
As colleges and universities begin the new academic year, educators in social work and other human-service fields have new tools for equipping students with the knowledge needed to guide clients with financial problems.
Roundtable Recap: Mapping Your Data Impact Journey
How can social sector organizations use data to increase their impact, and how can they ensure that impact will lead to equitable outcomes? These are guiding questions addressed in our roundtable series hosted by the Social Policy Institute’s Data for Social Impact initiative, which kicked off on October 20, 2021, and continues through November 19, […]
U.S. Student Loan Forgiveness Proposals: Who Stands to Benefit? (Links to an external site)
Online Education interviewed Jason Jabbari, research assistant professor at SPI, on student loans and the impacts of student debt forgiveness. This article reflects work originally conducted by the Social Policy Institute at Washington University. The Institute integrated with the Center for Social Development in January 2025.
Pandemic isolation increasing negative behaviors among children in Israel
Isolation as a result of COVID-19 exposure is a key public health protocol to mitigate the spread of the virus; however, new survey results indicate increased isolations are associated with anger, violence, difficulties sleeping, and prolonged screen time.
New longitudinal Socioeconomic Impacts of COVID-19 Survey calls for sustained public benefit support
The Social Policy Institute at Washington University in St. Louis (SPI) released new findings on the impact of COVID-19 on housing hardship, the importance of employment and associated benefits, such as the Payment Protection Program, family hardships, and efficiency of public benefits designed to support households in need, such as SNAP, TANF, and unemployment insurance benefits.
Sherraden receives Billups Award for international leadership
The International Consortium for Social Development has given Michael Sherraden the 2021 James Billups International Social Development Leadership Award. In presenting the award, Consortium President Manohar Pawar recognized Sherraden’s “distinguished contribution to social development theory and practice knowledge based on impactful action in strengthening the financial capacity and asset base for poor people and communities […]
Study on WU partnerships in China wins 2020 Best Article Award
On August 26, 2021, the China Journal of Social Work announced the 2020 Best Article Award, honoring a study by an international team of scholars that includes Center for Social Development (CSD) affiliates Michael Sherraden, Li Zou, Suo Deng, Jin Huang, Margaret Sherraden, and Nancy Morrow-Howell, as well as Shanti Khinduka, former dean of the […]
Biden cuts more student debt but defers on bigger fixes (Links to an external site)
Jason Jabbari, assistant research professor at SPI, discusses the effect of debt forgiveness on educational institutions with Times Higher Education. This article reflects work originally conducted by the Social Policy Institute at Washington University. The Institute integrated with the Center for Social Development in January 2025.
Prominent Child Development Account experts outline a nationwide policy
A group of experts and researchers is making the case for a nationwide Child Development Account (CDA) policy. The group, which includes CSD Founding Director Michael Sherraden and Policy Director Margaret Clancy, recently released the outline in a pair of CDA policy briefs. The briefs are entitled “The Case for a Nationwide Child Development Account […]
CSD and Partners Launch New Multinational Collaboration in Africa
Mobile phones have become commonplace in sub-Saharan Africa. There, as in other parts of the world, financial technology has proliferated with the expansion of digital access, opening new doors to financial products and services. But this emerging landscape requires financial acumen, and sound guidance can be hard to find.
On July 15, a multinational group of partners gathered virtually to mark the launch of Financial Capability and Asset Building in Africa (FCAB Africa), a new collaboration aimed at meeting these needs.
Inclusive and equitable tech reskilling at LaunchCode in St. Louis (Links to an external site)
Recognizing the shortcomings of equitable hiring and reskilling in the tech sector, LaunchCode, a St. Louis-based technology training organization, implemented a new model for equitable re-skilling by combining computer science training with a paid apprenticeship and by altering its recruitment and retention efforts. SPI partnered with LaunchCode to evaluate the effectiveness of these efforts in […]
The Majority Report with Sam Seder (Links to an external site)
Stephen Roll, SPI assistant research professor, was interviewed by Sam Seder about his research on the impacts of student debt forgiveness on households. This content is only available to peacock.tv subscribers (ep 65). This article reflects work originally conducted by the Social Policy Institute at Washington University. The Institute integrated with the Center for Social […]
St. Louis marks national voting event with teach-in, mayoral proclamation
As she stood at the podium, Gena Gunn McClendon considered the moment. “We’re here to learn. We’re here to teach,” she told those gathered on Saturday, May 8. McClendon, director of the Voter Access and Engagement Initiative with the Center for Social Development in the Brown School at Washington University, leads research to identify voting […]
Student debt forgiveness would impact nearly every aspect of people’s lives (Links to an external site)
With recent calls for student loan debt forgiveness by political leaders, SPI researchers investigated how debt relief could impact household spending and behaviors. Brooking Institute published recent findings on the implications for debt forgiveness on household economic stability and mobility. This article reflects work originated by scholars with the Social Policy Institute at Washington University. […]
Tech Companies Want Schools to Use COVID Relief Money on Surveillance Tools (Links to an external site)
Surveillance tools are being marketed as tools to enforce COVID-19 restrictions including mask wearing, social distancing, and contact tracing. However, VICE cites research from SPI data analyst Jason Jabbari & faculty affiliate Odis Johnson to recognize that it can do far more harm than good. This article reflects work originally conducted by the Social Policy […]
SPI researchers win awards for paper at ACCI Conference & VentureCafe STL Fellowship
Stephen Roll and Mathieu Despard, researchers at SPI, recently received the CFP© Board’s ACCI Financial Planning Paper Award for their paper on income loss and financial distress during the COVID-19 pandemic. The award is given to a well-written paper that focuses on important financial planning issues which can be used by consumers, financial planning professionals, and policymakers […]
Data and the social sector: We are all “data people”
Most of us who have worked in the social sector have interacted with data in some facet of our jobs. Whether applying for grants, evaluating programs, tracking client outcomes, drafting annual reports, or designing dashboards, our effectiveness hinges in part on how well we use data. I still recall in my past work being taken […]
Inequalities in housing hardship declined because everybody is now worse off (Links to an external site)
Over recent months, SPI researchers found that the disproportionate experiences of housing hardship have lessened, but only because everyone became worse off. They also have observe that Black families have become “long-haulers” when it comes to their experience of housing hardship.
How do Americans say they will use direct cash transfers? The answer depends on the frequency and the amount of the payment
From discussions of universal basic income in the 2020 presidential debates to repeated stimulus checks during the COVID-19 pandemic, government cash transfers have received a lot of attention recently. When considering a cash transfer program, policymakers usually have an objective in mind, such as reducing economic inequality, improving households’ ability to meet basic needs, or […]
‘High-Surveillance’ Schools Lead to More Suspensions, Lower Achievement (Links to an external site)
New research from Jason Jabbari, SPI data analyst, finds schools that tighten security and surveillance in response to shootings or other acts of violence may worsen long-term academic progress, particularly for Black students.
Cameras Are Being Used To Punish Students, Not Stop School Shooters (Links to an external site)
Forbes recently described a study by Jason Jabbari, SPI researcher, and Odis Johnson, SPI faculty affiliate. The study found increase security meant to protect students has led to high suspensions schools with decrease math achievement and college admission.
New research: Child Development Accounts generate assets, positive outlook, and parental investments
New research from the Center for Social Development (CSD) shows that parents of newborns with Child Development Accounts (CDAs) respond by deepening their commitment to the child’s higher education and their own efforts to save for that education. The findings come from two newly released publications: a research summary of account and savings data from […]
At Conference, Leaders Call for Financial Capability and Asset Building Curriculum in All Schools of Social Work
As the COVID-19 pandemic worsens America’s already deep income and wealth divides, how can financial capability be increased for vulnerable families? What role can social workers play? To take up these questions, more than 100 scholars and practitioners gathered virtually on February 25 for “Theory, Evidence, Education, and Practice in FCAB,” Part 2 of the convening “Financial […]
Huang Delivers First Nationwide Financial Capability Training for Social Workers in China
On January 30, Center for Social Development (CSD) research associate professor Jin Huang delivered the first national financial capability training for Chinese social workers. Speaking to more than 800 attendees, Huang discussed broadening the term “financial literacy” to the concept of “financial capability,” or having both the knowledge to make optimal financial decisions and also […]
New CSD Report Celebrates over 25 Years in the Community
In 2021, the Center for Social Development (CSD) celebrates over 25 years of inquiry, innovation and impact. The newly published report, In the Community, highlights our work’s advancements and illustrates directions in ongoing and future work in St. Louis, the United States and around the world. Founded in 1994, CSD continues to generate pathbreaking innovations in […]