More Money for Less Time? Examining the Relative and Heterogeneous Financial Returns to Non-Degree Credentials and Degree Programs
Jabbari, J., Chun, Y., Mei, X., & Roll, S. (2025). More money for less time? Examining the relative and heterogenous financial returns to non-degree credentials and degree programs. (EdWorkingPaper No. 24-1046). Annenberg Institute at Brown University. https://doi.org/10.26300/qweg-h532
Access to and Satisfaction with the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program: Differences Across Race, Ethnicity, Income, and Urbanicity among Missouri Residents
Gilbert, A., Frank, T., McDermott, L., Walden, N., Jabbari, J., Roll, S., & Ferris, D. (2025). Access to and satisfaction with the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program: Differences across race, ethnicity, income, and urbanicity among Missouri residents. Food and Nutrition Bulletin. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/03795721251323312
“Salt and Eat It or No Salt and Trash It?” Shifts in Support for School Meal Program Flexibilities in Public Comments
Moreland-Russell, S., Zimmermann, N., Gannon, J., Ferris, D., Alba, C., & Jacob, R. R. (2025). “Salt and Eat It or No Salt and Trash It?” Shifts in support for school meal program flexibilities in public comments. Nutrients, 17(5), Article 839. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17050839
STEM training, apprenticeships increase work satisfaction (Links to an external site)
Participation in a science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) apprenticeship program increased job happiness, finds a new study from the Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis. 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.
Municipal Officials’ Perspectives on Policymaking for Addressing Obesity and Health Equity
Parks, R. G., Thomas, F., Morshed, A. B., Dodson, E. A., Tian, R., Politi, M. C., Eyler, A. A., Thomas, I., & Brownson, R. C. (2023). Municipal officials’ perspectives on policymaking for addressing obesity and health equity. Evidence & Policy, 19(3), 444-464. https://doi.org/10.1332/174426421X16793276974116
Connecting the Dots between Barriers to W.I.C. Access and Adult and Child Food Insecurity: A Survey of Missouri Residents
Abstract Background. Previous research has explored the impact of W.I.C. on recipients’ health, but less is known about the connection between barriers to W.I.C. access and health outcomes. We fill in a gap in the literature by studying the relationship between barriers to Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (W.I.C.) access and adult […]
How Did Reskilling During the COVID-19 Pandemic Relate to Entrepreneurship and Optimism? Barriers, Opportunities, and Implications for Equity
Abstract With shorter durations and fewer barriers to entry, reskilling programs may serve as vehicles for social mobility and equity, as well as tools for creating a more adaptive workforce and inclusive economy. Nevertheless, much of the limited large-scale research on these types of programs was conducted prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, given the […]
Social Policy Institute to study impact of short-term credentials on advancing equity and meeting local labor market demands
Contact: Jason Jabbari, Associate Director of Community Partnerships, Social Policy Institutejabbari.jason@wustl.edu. ST. LOUIS, Missouri (August 28, 2023) – The Social Policy Institute (SPI) at Washington University in St. Louis has received a two-year, $475,000 grant from the Lumina Foundation. These funds will support a research project aiming to understand the impact of short-term credentials on […]
COVID-19-Related Fear among Youth in Israel
Abstract The present study sought to expand the now expansive research on COVID-19 by examining COVID-19-related fear among adolescents in Israel, focusing on demographic variables, COVID-19-related variables (e.g., exposure and vaccination), psychosocial variables (e.g., adolescent wellbeing and perceived social support), and technology usage (e.g., amount of time spent on social media). Data from parents were […]
Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Housing Instability During the COVID-19 Pandemic: the Role of Assets and Income Shocks
Chun, Y., Roll, S., Miller, S., Lee, H., Larimore, S., & Grinstein-Weiss, M. (2023). Racial and ethnic disparities in housing instability during the COVID-19 pandemic: The role of assets and income shocks. Journal of Economics, Race, and Policy, 6(2), 63–81. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41996-022-00109-5
Perceptions of School Quality and Student Learning During the Pandemic: Exploring the Role of Students, Families, Schools, and Neighborhoods
Abstract Given the inequitable distribution of resources across school, neighborhood, and home contexts in the United States, lower resourced students may have had fewer opportunities to learn during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, which may have caused previous disadvantages to accumulate during the pandemic. Nevertheless, research has yet to comprehensively explore how school, neighborhood, and […]
Coping with COVID-19: Differences in hope, resilience, and mental well-being across U.S. racial groups
Abstract Objectives To explore if the COVID-19 pandemic revealed differences across racial groups in coping, resilience, and optimism, all of which have implications for health and mental well-being. Methods We collect data obtained from four rounds of a national sample of 5,000 US survey respondents in each round from April 2020 to February 2021. Using […]
Implementation of Flexibilities to the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs and Their Impact on Schools in Missouri
Abstract Background: In 2018, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued flexibilities to the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs, relaxing the nutrition standards for milk, whole grains, and sodium. This study examines the implementation decision-making among Missouri school food services and the impact of implementing these flexibilities on the meals served. Methods: We […]
New collection offers inclusive housing policies for St. Louis region
For decades, deeply entrenched policies have made Greater St. Louis one of the most segregated metropolitan areas in the United States. A new briefing book offers policy options for change.
Linkage Fees: A Vehicle for Financing Affordable Housing
Murphy, L., Cooper, S., & Beckham, R. (2023, February). Linkage fees: A vehicle for financing affordable housing (CSD Policy Brief No. 23-11). Washington University, Center for Social Development. https://doi.org/10.7936/r0g8-kr48
Advancing Racial Equity Through Community Land Trusts
Alzhrani, A., Kiefer, B., Kim, D.-Y., & Eissner, G. (2023, February). Advancing racial equity through community land trusts (CSD Policy Brief No. 23-10). Washington University, Center for Social Development. https://doi.org/10.7936/hyr6-3569
Zoning: Issues and Reform
Borland, O., Kohlstruk, C., & Owens, L. (2023, February). Zoning: Issues and reform (CSD Policy Brief No. 23-09). Washington University, Center for Social Development. https://doi.org/10.7936/9bav-8t27
Racially Restrictive Covenants: A Story of Segregation, Disinvestment, and Lingering Implications
Al Hammam, F., Haden, J., Logan-Wood, L., & Roeder, J. (2023, February). Racially restrictive covenants: A story of segregation, disinvestment, and lingering implications (CSD Policy Brief No. 23-08). Washington University, Center for Social Development. https://doi.org/10.7936/fshc-6755
Welcome Home: A Policy Briefing Book for Housing Opportunity in St. Louis County
Metzger, M. (Ed.). (2023, February). Welcome home: A policy briefing book for housing opportunity in St. Louis County (CSD Research Summary No. 23-07). Washington University, Center for Social Development. https://doi.org/10.7936/q9c7-3n13
Washington University Study Examines Role of Tighter School Security on Academic Performance (Links to an external site)
Jason Jabbari, associate director of community partnerships, spoke about findings from a report he co-authored on the correlation between school security and academic performance.
COVID-19 Safety Concerns, School Governance Models, and Instructional Modes: An Exploration of School Quality Perspectives during the Pandemic
Abstract This paper explores how parents’ COVID-19 safety concerns relate to school governance models (SGMs), instructional modes (i.e. in-person, hybrid, online), and perceptions of school quality during the pandemic. Leveraging two waves of household survey data across 47 states and the District of Columbia, we first conduct a series of multinomial regression analyses to explore […]
Intersecting Race and Gender Across Hardships and Mental Health During COVID-19: A Moderated-Mediation Model of Graduate Students at Two Universities
Abstract While the effects of the pandemic on the mental health of college students can vary across race and gender, few studies have explored the role of hardships and university assistance in these disparities, as well as how these disparities can manifest themselves differently across intersections of race and gender. We address this gap by […]
Male Caregivers and Engagement in a Family Strengthening Program for Child Disruptive Behavior Disorders
Abstract Awareness and interest in involving male caregivers in child mental health treatment has grown, especially for youth with disruptive behavior disorders like oppositional defiant disorder (ODD). The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between male caregiver involvement and treatment engagement for child ODD. Children (n = 122) ages 7–11 and their caregivers participated […]
Prevalence of Long-COVID Among Low-Income and Marginalized Groups: Evidence From Israel
Abstract Objective: To identify the socioeconomic and demographic factors associated with the prevalence of self-reported long-COVID symptoms. Method: We examined the association between acute-COVID (SARS-CoV-2) and long-COVID symptoms, by a cross-sectional analysis of data obtained on a prospective online-survey, conducted from November to December 2021 on a nationally-representative sample of the Israeli population (N = 2,246). Results: Findings […]
5 Ways Public Health Keeps Communities Healthy (Links to an external site)
Tyler Frank, doctoral research assistant, published this blog on GoodRX Health discussing how public health helps promote social justice, equity, and collective action, and how it keeps communities safe.
All over the Map: A Systematic Literature Review and State Policy Scan of Medicaid Buy-In Programs for Working Individuals with Disabilities
Abstract While supports for people with disabilities have increased, significant healthcare and financial barriers persist. State-administered Medicaid Buy-In programs for working people with disabilities, distinct from broader buy-in discussions that have emerged as some states consider expanding access to health insurance, are intended to incentivize employment and protect against a loss of Long-Term Services and […]
Combatting Rising Healthcare Costs for Healthier Adults
Summary In 2020, healthcare expenditures averaged $12,530 per person, up 9.7% from 2019. In 2018, 19% of U.S. households had medical debt with $2,000 being the median amount owed. Over half of adults between 18 to 64 years of age are estimated to experience some form of medical financial hardship including medical bills or debt, […]
Usage and Impact of Benefits Among Frontline Healthcare Workers
Despard, M. (2022). Usage and impact of benefits among frontline healthcare workers (Social Policy Institute Research No. 65). https://doi.org/10.7936/6f24-p704
Improving perinatal outcomes for mother and child through Fresh Rx: Nourishing Health Starts
Dan Ferris, associate director of education and training for SPI, along with co-authors, recently published, “Does a food insecurity intervention improve perinatal outcomes for mother and child? A randomized control study protocol of the Fresh Rx: Nourishing Healthy Starts program,” in the Journal of Public Health Research.
Tighter school security leads to lower test scores, study finds (Links to an external site)
As schools around the country have ramped up security efforts in response to recent school shootings, a new study from the Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis suggests that increased surveillance is having a detrimental impact on academic performance.
How do health care costs impact household finances and access to care?
Prioritizing affordability of care will be the first step to ensuring that a healthy life is feasible for everyone regardless of finances.
At Home and on the Brink: U.S. Parents’ Mental Health during COVID-19
Abstract Though the COVID-19 pandemic required significant changes and adaptations for most Americans, parents faced acute challenges as they had to navigate rapidly changing schooling and child care policies requiring their children to spend more time at home. This study examines the effects of COVID-19 school and workplace policies as well as environmental and economic […]
“Take my word for it”: Group Texts and Testimonials Enhance State and Federal Student Aid Applications
Abstract As the cost of college continues to rise, it has become increasingly important for students to apply for financial aid. However, many students are unaware of the benefits of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). We launched a field experiment with a non-profit organization to explore how both informational- and testimonial-type text […]
Household Spending Patterns and Hardships during COVID-19: A Comparative Study of the U.S. and Israel
Abstract The combined supply and demand shocks of the COVID-19 pandemic have created the largest consumer behavior shift in recent history, while exposing millions of households to material hardships like food insecurity and housing instability. In this study, we draw on national surveys conducted early in the pandemic to investigate the pandemic’s effects on self-reported […]
James F. McDonnell Foundation awards $255k to study student mobility in St. Louis
As a part of the St. Louis Research Practice Collaborative (SRPC) and in partnership with St. Louis University, Jason Jabbari, research assistant professor with the Social Policy Institute at Washington University in St. Louis, has joined a team that received a $255k grant awarded by the James F. McDonnell Foundation for research on student mobility. […]
Experimental Evidence on Consumption, Saving, and Family Formation Responses to Student Debt Forgiveness
The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) provides substantial financial support to low-income Universal basic income has gained renewed interest among policymakers and researchers in the U.S. While research indicates that unconditional cash transfers produce diverse benefits for households, public support lags in part due to the predicted unemployment and frivolous As policy-makers grapple with whether […]
Does a Food Insecurity Intervention Improve Perinatal Outcomes for Mother and Child? A Randomized Control Study Protocol of the Fresh Rx: Nourishing Healthy Starts Program
Ferris, D., Roll, S., Huang, J., Mathews, K., Ragain, T., Simpson, K., Jabbari, J., Gilbert, K., Frank, T., & Rothman, S. (2022). Does a food insecurity intervention improve perinatal outcomes for mother and child? A randomized control study protocol of the Fresh Rx: Nourishing Healthy Starts program. Journal of Public Health Research, 11(2), Article 22799036221102496. https://doi.org/10.1177/22799036221102496
Jabbari awarded $512,000 grant from William T. Grant Foundation (Links to an external site)
The Record announced a recent William T. Grant award for an education-based research grant with a research-practitioner partnership conducted by Jason Jabbari, research assistant professor of SPI. This article reflects work initiated by the Social Policy Institute at Washington University. The Institute integrated with the Center for Social Development in January 2025.
W.T. Grant Foundation awards $512k to study impact of Choice Neighborhood Initiative
Press release: June 8, 2022 Jason Jabbari, research assistant professor with the Social Policy Institute at Washington University in St. Louis, received a $512k grant from The William T. Grant Foundation to understand if and how the Choice Neighborhood Initiative (CNI) reduces racial inequalities in academic outcomes for children and youth. Alongside Jabbari, co-principal investigators […]
Disparate financial assistance support for small business owners
Small business owners experienced a drastic economic disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Government pandemic assistance failed to reach many small business owners, especially those historically underserved by financial institutions. Drawing on a 2021 survey of 246 small business owners, the Social Policy Institute at Washington University in St. Louis descriptively examined the extent to […]
Nothing to show for it: Distress among non-degree earners with debt
Press release: May 11, 2022 According to a study by the Social Policy Institute at Washington University in St. Louis, the convergence of college non-completion and student debt among borrowers lead to higher rates of material hardship, healthcare hardship, and financial difficulties than those with a high school degree, those with a college degree, and […]
Disrupted and Disconnected: Child Activities, Social Skills, and Race/Ethnicity During the Pandemic
Abstract Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, parents reported that their children spent the majority of their time at home, which can dramatically change their activities and negatively impact their social skills. However, research has yet to uncover the relationships between changes in activities during the pandemic and children’s social skills, nor the degree to which […]
COVID-19 job and income loss and mental health: The mediating roles of financial assets and well-being and the moderating role of race/ethnicity
Abstract Prior research shows unemployment has a negative effect on mental health, yet whether this relationship is affected by financial factors is unknown. For example, having money in savings may mitigate the impact of job loss on mental health. We use structural equation modeling with data from the Socio-Economic Impacts of COVID-19 Survey with a […]
Nothing to show for it: Financial Distress and Re-Enrollment Aspirations for those with non-degreed debt
Abstract The number of individuals with student loan debt who do not earn their degrees is on the rise; nevertheless, there is little research that demonstrates their current circumstances and future aspirations. We address this knowledge gap by comparing the financial distresses and re-enrollment aspirations of student debt-holders who started college but did not earn […]
Public perceptions and the willingness to get vaccinated against COVID-19: Lessons from Israel
Abstract Objectives To explore the associations between vaccine hesitancy and demographic and socio-economic characteristics, as well as perspective towards the COVID-19 and its vaccines. Methods Data were collected through four online surveys on Israel’s representative sample in March (3/2 to 3/7, n = 1517), August (8/10–8/11, n = 925; 8/18–8/22, n = 1054), and September (9/22-9/24; n=1406), 2021. We employ a […]
Do Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Savings and Job Loss during COVID-19 Explain Disparities in Housing Hardships? A Moderated Mediation Analysis
Abstract Despite the array of public programs offered to help households mitigate the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, many still needed to rely on savings, credit, or other assets to make ends meet. This reality may exacerbate existing social and economic inequities because racial and ethnic minorities often have lower access to assets and […]
Introduction: The COVID-19 Shock to Our Deep Inequities: How to Mitigate the Impact
The COVID-19 pandemic affected nearly every aspect of household health, as well as the social and economic well-being of individuals and communities across the United States. Many in our society have faced and continue to face unprecedented challenges. Specifically, the pandemic put a microscope on inequities such as racial disparities in housing, health care, and […]
Crashing without a Parachute: Racial and Educational Disparities in Unemployment during COVID-19
Abstract The burden of the COVID-19 pandemic has not been shouldered equally by American families. Black and Hispanic communities have been hit the hardest, with the pandemic often exacerbating existing disparities. Using nationally representative data, we assess the economic and public health effects of the pandemic among different socioeconomic groups and whether typical sources of […]
Policy & Practice Strategies for Inclusive Growth in St. Louis
A 6-part event series, Inclusive Growth in St. Louis investigated who is left out of St. Louis’ economic growth benefits, the policies that have led to the unequal distribution of opportunities, and actionable recommendations to become a more inclusive economy. This report summarizes those discussions and recommendations.
Apprenticeships increase employment, earnings, and optimism in the technology sector (Links to an external site)
Given the novel and rapidly changing nature of the labor market, learning new skills quickly will become an increasingly important aspect of workforce development and social mobility. The Social Policy Institute investigates LaunchCode, a St. Louis boot camp with an apprenticeship model, as a viable option to increase wealth-building opportunities and upskill a more diverse labor […]
Increased School Breakfast Participation from Policy and Program Innovation: The Community Eligibility Provision and Breakfast after the Bell
Ferris, D., Jabbari, J., Chun, Y., Sandoval, J.S. (2022). Increased school breakfast participation from policy and program innovation: The community eligibility provision and breakfast after the bell. Nutrients, 14(3), Article 511. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14030511
Cut me some slack! An exploration of slack resources and technology-mediated human capital investments in entrepreneurship
Purpose In this paper, the authors explore the relationship that slack resources and technology-mediated human capital investments can have on individuals’ entrepreneurial intentions. Focusing on human capital investments that individuals make through education and work, the authors analyze the relationship among formal online learning opportunities, informal skill development in the gig economy and entrepreneurial intentions. […]
Paid Sick Leave Heading Into COVID-19: A Descriptive Account of Workers Who Lacked Paid Sick Leave
Rothwell, D., Fox-Dichter, S., Despard, M., & Grinstein-Weiss, M. (2021). Paid sick leave heading into COVID-19: A descriptive account of workers who lacked paid sick leave (Social Policy Institute Research Brief). Washington University, Social Policy Institute. https://www.doi.org/10.7936/53ct-2e59
Vaccine Hesitance During COVID-19: Exploring Motivations and Incentives
Brugger, L., Roll, S., Kristensen, K., & Grinstein-Weiss, M. (2021). Vaccine hesitance during COVID-19: Exploring motivations and incentives (Social Policy Institute Research Brief). Washington University, Social Policy Institute. https://www.doi.org/10.7936/b07b-ks62
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 […]
Estimating the Economic Cost of Childhood Poverty in the United States
McLaughlin, M., & Rank, M. R. (2018). Estimating the economic cost of childhood poverty in the United States. Social Work Research, 42(2), 73–83. doi:10.1093/swr/svy007
COVID-19 Among Youth in Israel: Correlates of Decisions to Vaccinate and Reasons for Refusal
The primary aim of the present study is to examine the reasons for adolescents’ refusal to get vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine, and examine correlates of vaccination among adolescents aged 12–18 years in Israel. A total of 150 youth aged 12–18 years participated in the study. Following parental consent (30% response rate) from an online internet […]
Did government benefits help Israeli households avoid hardship during COVID-19? Evidence from a national survey
At the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the government of Israel quickly introduced aggressive social distancing measures to curb the virus spread and adapted its unemployment insurance program in response to rising unemployment rates. This study examines the relationship between household income and the experience of material hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic in Israel and […]
How Did School Meal Access Change During the COVID-19 Pandemic? A Two-Step Floating Catchment Area Analysis of a Large Metropolitan Area
Jabbari, J., Chun, Y., Nandan, P., McDermott, L., Frank, T., Moreland-Russell, S., Ferris, D., Roll, S. (2021). How did school meal access change during the COVID-19 pandemic? A two-step floating catchment area analysis of a large metropolitan area. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(21), Article 11350. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182111350
15 Actionable Strategies to Embrace Inclusive Leadership
Speakers at the Inclusive Growth in St. Louis event series on Sept. 23 identified 15 strategies to proactively support and amplify diverse voices and perspectives as discussed by the speakers at the event.
Promoting Childhood Vaccination During the COVID-19 Pandemic
As schools start back up, many parents are concerned about the health effects of COVID-19 in children. However, childhood diseases beyond COVID-19 are still threats to children’s well-being. In the early stages of the pandemic, there was a large decrease in childhood vaccination rates for diseases such as diphtheria, pertussis, measles and mumps.
Use of Public Benefits Over the First Year of Pandemic: Exploring Access, Delays, and Outcomes
Bufe, S., Roll, S., Kristensen, K., Zhao, D., & Grinstein-Weiss, M. (2021). Use of public benefits over the first year of pandemic: Exploring access, delays and outcomes (Social Policy Institute Research Report). Washington University, Social Policy Institute. https://doi.org/10.7936/h45c-kc86
Impact of COVID-19 on Households with Children
The COVID-19 pandemic caused major disruptions in employment, child care and education. As a result, both parents and children experienced a variety of hardships in their work and education. While these hardships had reverberating effects throughout households, they were not equally distributed across families with children. In this brief, we explore the effects of COVID-19 […]
Employment Changes During COVID-19
Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. unemployment peaked at 14.4%. While some workers have returned to payrolls, others have been left behind. This brief examines the nuances of employment changes over the course of the pandemic and the impact of those changes on household financial well-being. Our study finds that the proportion of employees who […]
Housing Hardships During COVID-19
Even prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. households were burdened by the cost of rental and mortgage payments, burdens which disproportionately fell on Black and Hispanic families. Using a 5-wave survey, we examined whether disparities in housing cost burden continued throughout the pandemic and trends in how households fell behind on rent and mortgage payments. […]
Serving Students: Increased Free and Reduce-Price School Meal Access in Missouri
Ferris, D., Jabbari, J., Chun, Y., Sandoval, N. (2021). Serving students: Increased free and reduced-price school meal access in Missouri (Policy Brief). Saint Louis University, Prime Center. https://www.primecenter.org/policy-brief-database/srf-meals
The Socioeconomic Impacts of COVID-19 Study: Survey Methodology Report
Roll, S., Bufe, S.., Chun, Y., & Grinstein-Weiss, M. (2021). The Socioeconomic Impacts of COVID-19 Study: Survey methodology report (Social Policy Institute Research Report). Washington University, Social Policy Institute. https://doi.org/10.7936/r4cj-5041
Impact of COVID-19 on Households With Children: Family Hardships and Policy Insights
Muñoz-Rivera, A., Jabbari, J., Roll, S., & Grinstein-Weiss, M. (2021). Impact of COVID-19 on households with children: Family hardships and policy insights (Social Policy Institute Research Report). Washington University, Social Policy Institute. https://doi.org/10.7936/1m6t-7y41
Housing Hardships During COVID-19: Disparities Increased by Race/Ethnicity and Homeowner Status
Fox-Dichter, S., Chun, Y., Roll, S., Kristensen, K., & Grinstein-Weiss, M. (2021). Housing hardships during COVID-19: Disparities increased by race/ethnicity and homeowner status (Social Policy Institute Research Report). Washington University, Social Policy Institute. https://doi.org/10.7936/52dc-wx52
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 […]
Material hardship among lower-income households: The role of liquid assets and place
Lower-income households are at risk for material hardship, particularly amidst the economic fallout of COVID-19. Where one lives (e.g., suburb, small town) may affect this risk due to variable access to resources, yet the evidence is mixed concerning the influence of place. We used a pooled, national cross-sectional sample of 66,046 lower-income tax filers to […]
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.
Are Foreclosure Spillover Effects Universal? Variation Over Space and Time
Government intervention in the housing market in response to the 2007–2010 mortgage crisis was driven in part by research showing that foreclosures lower neighboring housing values and thus increase neighbors’ risk of foreclosure. Researchers have consistently identified a negative spillover effect of foreclosures on nearby housing values, but the magnitude of the effect varies widely […]
Does one size fit all? Exploring provider behavior interventions and best practices alignment to improve healthcare for all
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced the United States to reassess public health as we know it. In a time where providers were forced to wear trash bags as personal protective gear and alarming ICU rates across the nation, it is clear we are witnessing a shift in the future of healthcare services. But to what […]
Food assistance (SNAP) recipients were disproportionately forced out by landlords during the pandemic
Previous analysis of the Social Policy Institute’s Socioeconomic Impacts of COVID-19 Survey found that Temporary Aid for Needy Families (TANF) recipients were evicted at higher rates than households not getting TANF, and new analysis finds similar trends for households receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funds.
Cash assistance (TANF) recipients suffer the brunt of evictions despite the moratorium
New evidence from the Social Policy Institute’s multi-wave Socioeconomic Impacts of COVID-19 Survey shows that during the pandemic, TANF recipients were evicted at significantly higher rates than non-recipients, even when accounting for differences in demographics, income, assets, recent job loss, and how many months behind they are in rental payments.
COVID-19 School Meal Policies as Long-term Strategies to Fight Child Food Insecurity
In response to COVID-19 and the nationwide school closures that followed, the federal government passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Through these policies, the USDA was able to grant meal waivers to help schools and community organizations provide meals and snacks during COVID-related […]
From intention to action: A systematic literature review of provider behaviour change‐focused interventions in physical health and behavioural health settings
It is clear there are significant delays in the uptake of best practices as part of routine care in the healthcare system, yet there is conflicting evidence on how to specifically align provider behaviour with best practices. Method We conducted a review of interventions utilized to change any aspect of provider behaviour. To extend prior […]
Nudging Parents to Improve Children’s Oral Health: A Field Study
This research brief is part of a series by the Social Impact Nudgeathon initiative. This initiative incorporated insights from behavioral economics into the design and delivery of social welfare programs. Developed through a partnership between the Joint Distribution Committee in Israel (JDC-Israel) and the Social Policy Institute (SPI) at Washington University in St. Louis, this initiative is among the first of its kind to launch in Israel. […]
School breakfast matters for Missouri students
Guest post by Sarah Ritter, manager of public policy, Operation Food Search Child nutrition programs are essential to ending hunger and supporting children’s health, learning and development. One important yet underutilized program is the School Breakfast Program (SBP). Students who eat breakfast at school consume more fiber, calcium and vitamin C – nutrients all children […]
Who relocates, where do they move, and why?
The lack of socioeconomic mobility among marginalized populations leads to the concentration of poverty, a long-standing issue in American cities. Empirical studies on neighborhood effects have found that poverty concentration adversely affects the socioeconomic mobility of residents—associated with their economic well-being, employment, education, health, and safety—in lower-income neighborhoods. Through a variety of neighborhood revitalization projects, […]
COVID-19 Educational Inequities: Shining a Light on Disparities in a Graduate School of Social Work
Despite its name, the Housing Choice Voucher (or Section 8) program does not always offer families much choice in where to live. Jenna Hampton, SPI practicum student, calls to expand the choices available to families who want the best for themselves and their children in an editorial with Community Builders Network in St. Louis.
7 Tips to Mitigate Hoarding Behavior
Mary Acri has seven tips to manage feelings of powerlessness, helplessness and fear without stockpiling toilet paper as the pandemic persists.
Income Loss and Financial Distress during COVID-19: The Protective Role of Liquid Assets
This study examines how demographic, financial, and intrinsic personality characteristics predict household participation in Israel’s Child Development Account (CDA) program, the Savings for Every Child Program (SECP).
A different dialogue: Lifting up community voices
By: Sarah Cowart, communications manager for Social Policy Institute; Pamela Chan, associate director for Social Policy Institute, and Daniel Barker, director of research and knowledge, Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth If you attended “Building an Inclusive Economy” on October 7 with the Social Policy Institute at Washington University in St. Louis (SPI) and Mastercard Center […]
Emergency savings are a potential lifeline for households in financial distress due to COVID-19
Many U.S. households have lost a job and/or income due to the COVID-19 pandemic. These types of losses can influence an individual’s level of life satisfaction and thus, their overall health and well-being. One possible strategy to mitigate the impacts of economic volatility for U.S. individuals and households is to build a rainy-day fund. A […]
Safe, affordable child care is a right, not a privilege
As the United States nears the seventh month of weathering COVID-19’s impact, it has become clear that the economy will not recover simply by encouraging businesses to re-open or consumers to keep shopping. Working adults with children are being disproportionately affected by COVID-19 and will continue to struggle without stronger federal and state support for child care.
Housing Hardships Reach Unprecedented Heights during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Groundbreaking data from a new large-scale, nationally-representative survey of low- and moderate-income (LMI) households administered by the Social Policy Institute at Washington University in St. Louis in April of 2020 suggests that individuals have been facing increased housing hardship such as evictions, delayed rent or mortgage payments, and unexpected utility payments and home repairs during the pandemic.
Messaging matters when it comes to COVID-19 economic impact payments
The way policymakers and financial capability practitioners communicate about the CARES economic impact payments and other current or future payments may help guide households to use these benefits in the way best suited to their financial situation. This is important because while some households may use the CARES payments to pay down debt and other households may be fortunate enough to be able to save their payments, others will need these payments to simply make ends meet.
Improving the Take-Up of Homecare Services Among Holocaust Survivors in a Jewish Charitable Organization
This research brief is part of a series by the Social Impact Nudgeathon initiative. This initiative incorporated insights from behavioral economics into the design and delivery of social welfare programs. Developed through a partnership between the Joint Distribution Committee in Israel (JDC-Israel) and the Social Policy Institute (SPI) at Washington University in St. Louis, this initiative is among the first of its kind to launch in Israel. […]
We don’t need a map to tell us who COVID-19 hits the hardest in St. Louis
We don’t need a map to tell us that policymakers, health officials, corporations, and St. Louis residents themselves must continue to break down economic barriers to create partnerships and solutions that support the most vulnerable in our city – those who were already facing a disproportionate social, financial, and health burden prior to COVID-19 entering their lives.
How Do the Lives of Participants in a Housing Mobility Program Change after They Move? A Case Study of the Mobility Connection Program
This brief outlines the results of an assessment of Mobility Connection, a housing mobility program in St. Louis, Missouri. Mobility Connection is administered through Ascend STL and this assessment was conducted in partnership with the Social Policy Institute at Washington University in St. Louis. Our research focused on answering the following questions: To answer these […]
Who Will Help Children? Building Regional Brain Regimes
Tate, W. F., IV. (2019, August). Who will help children? Building brain regimes (CSD Perspective No. 19-30). St. Louis, MO: Washington University, Center for Social Development. https://doi.org/10.7936/362f-yk84
“I Didn’t Really Want to Leave”: A Case Study of Public Housing Relocation Under Pressure
Metzger, M. W., & Oliphant, J. E. (2019). “I didn’t really want to leave”: A case study of public housing relocation under pressure. Critical Social Work,18(1).
Segregation and a Path Forward to Inclusion in St. Louis
Webber, H. S. (2019, May). Segregation and a path forward to inclusion in St. Louis (CSD Perspective No. 19-25). St. Louis, MO: Washington University, Center for Social Development. https://doi.org/10.7936/1s4r-0929
Step by Step: Tenant Accounts of Securing and Maintaining Quality Housing With a Housing Choice Voucher
Metzger, M. W., Bender, A., Flowers, A., Murugan, V., & Ravindranath, D. (2019). Step by step: Section 8 tenant accounts of searching for quality housing. Journal of Community Practice, 27(1), 31–44. https://doi.org/10.1080/10705422.2019.1580653
Facing Segregation: Housing Policy Solutions for a Stronger Society
Metzger, M. W., & Webber, H. S. (Eds.). (2018). Facing segregation: Housing policy solutions for a stronger society. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
Foreword to Facing Segregation: Housing Policy Solutions for a Stronger Society
Sherraden, M. (2018). Foreword. In M. W. Metzger & H. S. Webber (Eds.), Facing segregation: Housing policy solutions for a stronger society (pp. ix–xi). New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
Segregation: A Threat to Americans’ Shared Goals
Metzger, M. W., & Webber, H. S. (2018). Segregation: A threat to Americans’ shared goals. In M. W. Metzger & H. S. Webber (Eds.), Facing segregation: Housing policy solutions for a stronger society (pp. 3–14). New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
The Enduring Significance of Segregation
Purnell, J. Q. (2018). The enduring significance of segregation. In M. W. Metzger & H. S. Webber (Eds.), Facing segregation: Housing policy solutions for a stronger society (pp. 58–74). New York, NY: Oxford University Press.