urban institute nonprofit social and economic policy research

Children, the Recession, and the Economic Recovery Plan

February 19
9 a.m.-10:30 a.m. ET

Listen to the event Audio Recording

Panelists:

Douglas Derek
Derek Douglas, director, New York governor's Washington office

Olivia Golden
Olivia Golden (moderator), institute fellow, Urban Institute; former assistant secretary for children and families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Doug Holtz-Eakin
Douglas Holtz-Eakin, president, DHE Consulting LLC; director of domestic and economic policy, 2008 John McCain presidential campaign; former director, Congressional Budget Office

Joan Lombardi
Joan Lombardi, research professor, Public Policy Institute, Georgetown University; first director, Child Care Bureau, Department of Health and Human Services

Matthew Stagner
Matthew Stagner, executive director, Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago

From high-tech medical information systems to low-tech road building, the House version of the economic stimulus package covers the panoply of public policies and government programs. Children are in there, too. Some elements address them specifically, such as increases in education, Head Start, child care subsidies, and the child tax credit. These are buttressed by provisions to support their families' income, work opportunities, and health care and to bail out state budgets to avoid program cuts. The Senate bill is expected to include less aid for states, schools, and other programs.

As the economy ails, policymakers, program managers, and service providers will be under extraordinary pressure to get the biggest bang for each buck. Be part of the discussion as experts tackle such questions as

- What happens to children and families during recessions?
- What must federal, state, and local officials do to speedily implement the recovery package and coordinate programs effectively? 
- Are service providers ready?
- How will budget-strained states handle a funding infusion? 
- Can new and expanded activities jump start change in early childhood programs and other children's initiatives?
- Will the recovery plan's short-term boost take the pressure off Congress to make permanent investments and reforms?
- How should legislators and laypeople measure success?

Resources
- Bios (pdf)

At the Urban Institute
2100 M Street N.W., 5th Floor
A light breakfast will be provided at 8:30 a.m. The forum begins promptly at 9:00.

Webcast note:
You will need to register for the webcast on the same computer you will use to listen. You can register anytime up to and during the event. To access the webcast, you can go to the same link where you registered, http://www.visualwebcaster.com/event.asp?id=55703. You need a computer with a high-speed Internet connection. The audio for the webcast is available over the Internet only (no telephone connections).

 
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