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There is a widening gap in the use of digital technologies between under-resourced microbusinesses and higher-resourced larger businesses. This has long-term consequences for profitability and community development.

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Veteran entrepreneurs transitioning from military to civilian life possess unique skills that enrich the small business sector. Strategic policies can leverage this valuable demographic of businesspeople.

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Microentrepreneurs and small business owners face several barriers when starting and growing their businesses. Informal and social networks; easily accessible, targeted information; and financial resources are key to navigating these challenges.

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The U.S. government has set a target goal of 23% of federal contracts being filled by small businesses, but small businesses are often unaware of federal contracting opportunities.

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Entrepreneurship support originates from many sources including the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and a variety of private entities. Between 45% and 50% of small businesses survive five years or more. There are many unknowns regarding which resources predict most successful outcomes.

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Rural entrepreneurs face substantial disadvantages vis-à-vis those in urban and suburban areas. They have had trouble attracting a skilled workforce, they have had issues with “business building blocks” such as investment capital and broadband, and they have been omitted from key Federal funding designed to spur clusters of innovation.

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Education professionals in K-12 and higher education settings are at risk of leaving the profession, in part because of the stress and dissatisfaction from not being allowed to use their professional judgment to make sound educational decisions (Lewis et al., 2023).

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The recent pandemic has contributed to a climbing number of teacher vacancies, though retention has long been an issue.

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Participation in Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs can enhance students’ skills and help them prepare for high-wage and/or in-demand careers, while simultaneously addressing critical workforce challenges (e.g., staffing shortages).

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An estimated 43% of children in the United States have at least one parent with a non-standard work schedule, which often include irregular shifts. Professional child care providers typically do not offer services outside of traditional weekday working hours or accommodate changing schedules on short notice, and may impose monetary penalties for unplanned schedule fluctuations.

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As the nation begins to “reopen” and the economy begins shifting, many states have begun ending pandemic-era unemployment insurance benefits. For many, unemployment insurance was the only thing keeping them afloat following the unprecedented unemployment crisis at the beginning of the pandemic. And yet, despite the unbelievable numbers of unemployed workers in our country, the stigma of receiving unemployment insurance persists. We asked ourselves why, in a time of tremendous health and economic crisis, are we giving folks who need help a hard time? We know that research shows that many families and individuals are still out of work and struggling to afford adequate food and pay mortgages or rent. Like other topics we covered – childcare and food insecurity, for example – the pandemic has made it abundantly clear that our country’s systems are unsustainable and not enough to support the financial needs of families and individuals.

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According to the U.S. Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, food insecurity is defined as the disruption of food intake or eating patterns because of lack of money or other resources. For example, this could mean cutting down on the number of meals or changing the types of food that you eat to save money.

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As part of our new series, The Pandemic Perspective, we spoke with Commissioner Mike Pipe, Centre County Chair of the Board of Commissioners and Co-Chair of the Election Board of Centre County, and Dr. Chris Witko, Associate Director of the School of Public Policy and Professor of Public Policy and Political Science at Penn State University. This episode is the second episode of a two-part episode about this topic. Listen to Part 1 here.

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For the second episode of our new series, The Pandemic Perspective, we spoke with Commissioner Mike Pipe, Centre County Chair of the Board of Commissioners and Co-Chair of the Election Board of Centre County, and Dr. Chris Witko, Associate Director of the School of Public Policy and Professor of Public Policy and Political Science at Penn State University. This episode is broken into two parts – we had a lot to talk about! – and will be released biweekly.

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In this month’s episode, we spoke to Alexis Santos, PhD, Assistant Professor of Human Development and Family Studies at Penn State, and David Saunders, Director of the Office of Health Equity for the Pennsylvania Department of Health, about different disparities throughout the Pennsylvania Commonwealth and how the lack of good data impacts what we understand about poverty and health inequities.

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What is there left to say about the opioid crisis that has not already been said? It’s claimed thousands of lives, torn apart families and communities, strained our country’s already fractured healthcare system, and cost the economy billions, perhaps trillions, of dollars. If burning a path through communities for the last twenty years was not enough, the COVID-19 pandemic has forced many individuals and families to endure joblessness, potential homelessness, and other uncertainties, causing a spike in substance use and subsequently, overdoses.

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As the COVID-19 pandemic continues and unemployment benefits for many Americans decrease significantly at the end of July, many Americans will be unable to pay rents and mortgages and may face eviction. Given the severity of this particular crisis, July’s episode focuses on multiple issues related to housing in America, like the lack of affordable housing and housing as a means to improve overall health and well-being. In this episode, we spoke to Bryce Maretzki, Director of Policy and Planning for the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, and Selena Ortiz, PhD, Assistant Professor of Health Policy and Administration as well as Demography, at Penn State.

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For this month’s episode, we spoke to Penn State’s Marty Sliwinski, PhD, Director of the Center for Healthy Aging and Professor of Human Development and Family Studies, and Stephanie Cole, Director of Special Projects and Executive Assistant at the Office of the Secretary at Pennsylvania Department of Aging, about challenges and opportunities related to aging.

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COVID-19 is an equal opportunity virus, but exposure to this virus does not take place in an equal opportunity context. Although only some states and counties provide COVID-19 cases and outcomes by race, the data available indicate that disparities are stark.

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Refugees face structural and cultural barriers associated with higher physical and mental health disparities, poverty, and uncertainty about their rights and legal status.

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Due to issues of confidentiality that often prevent data and information sharing, the established bureaucratic process often doesn’t allow organizations to collaborate.

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Probation department vets programs for effectiveness with screening tool

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Key principles, examples from jurisdictions offer guidance

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6 actions for legislators to consider for budgeting that prioritize proven results

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Integrated system provides comprehensive client information to better assess impact

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State budget office and legislators consider outcomes in strategic planning

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Budgeting for Results framework used to analyze outcomes and return on investment

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Governor meets with key stakeholders monthly to review progress on priority outcomes

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State integrates outcome monitoring with other evidence-based policymaking initiatives

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Analyses ensure more decisions driven by data

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How states can use performance management systems to achieve results

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National program trains localities to conduct needs assessments so young residents get the services they need

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Strategies to codify results-based policymaking, Part 1

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A look at key steps for state and county partners

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A policymaker's guide to building evaluation capacity

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Policymakers aim to direct resources toward programs that generate results

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State prioritizes evidence-based programs in its contracts

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A national review of the use of administrative data to improve state decision-making

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Opportunities for Strengthening Wisconsin’s Workforce

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Results First provides a guide to establishing and sharing clear definitions

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Unhealthy, Unwealthy: Health Disparities in Massachusetts

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Lessons from Washington, Tennessee, and Oregon

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How one state incorporates rigorous evidence of effectiveness into budgeting decisions

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Homelessness and Families

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A Place to Call Home: Evidence-Based Strategies for Addressing Homelessness Across Wisconsin

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Data and research can increase the efficiency and effectiveness of government programs

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How to use research to inform program funding decisions

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Training Today’s Youth for Tomorrow’s Jobs

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Economic Well-Being of Rhode Island Families: The Promise and Practice of Two-Generation Approaches

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Two-Generation Approach to Reduce Poverty

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Building Strong Families for Kentucky: The Role of Food Policy Councils

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The Promise of Two-Generation Anti-Poverty Strategies: Existing and Emerging Evidence

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A Guide for Effective Government

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Aging in Iowa: Policy Responses to Changing Demographics

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Strengthening Families

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The Science of Early Brain Development: A Foundation for the Success of Our Children and the State Economy

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Need-Based Versus Merit-Based Higher Education Financial Aid

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Improving Results for Taxpayers

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Military and Veteran Families: Focus on Strategies for Sustainable Housing and Family Well-Being

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Preparing Wisconsin’s Youth for Success in the Workforce

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Jobs: Are we filling the ones we have? Are we ready for the future?

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Rigorous Quality Assurance Ensures that Washington State's Evidence-Based Programs Produce Expected Results

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Working Toward Greater Prosperity in North Carolina: Effective Employment Strategies

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Pathways to Michigan’s Economy & Jobs

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Predatory Lending and its Impact on Louisiana Families

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Bringing Families Out of Poverty

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The Continuing Recession: Impact on Economic Security for Families

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Jobs, Jobs, Jobs

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Evidence-Based Solutions to Poverty: Nurse-Family Partnership Home Visitation Program

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Positioning Wisconsin for the Jobs of the Future

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Iowa, Fertile Grounds for Growing Business: Attracting Businesses to our State

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Employment Opportunities and Workforce Development: Policies, Programs and Strategies for Virginia’s Families

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Medicaid: How are States Controlling Costs? Are Children at Risk?

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Evidence-Based Budgeting: Making Decisions to Move Wisconsin Forward

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Financial Literacy and Workforce Development for the Family

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The Great Recession and Its Impact on Families

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Connecting Business to Innovative Strategies for Poverty Reduction: Economic Benefits of Early Childhood Investments

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Workforce Development Policy: New Directions for States

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From Harlem Children’s Zone to Promise Neighborhoods: Creating the Tipping Point for Success

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Strengthening Michigan Family Finances: Policy Options for Weathering Tough Times

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Helping Illinois’ Families in Economic Crisis

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Policy Issues in Special Education Finance

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Growing the State Economy: Evidence-Based Policy Options

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Georgia Policy Opportunities: The Economic Impact of the Early Care and Education Industry

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New Findings About an Innovative Performance-Based Scholarship Program for Low-Income Parents Attending Louisiana Community Colleges

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The Burden of the Unbanked in Indiana

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Illinois Families Under Stress: The Long Term Care Crisis

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Preparing Michigan’s Communities and Families for the New Economy

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Welfare Reform: Promoting Parental Self-Sufficiency While Ensuring the Well-Being of Children

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Saving Lives, Saving Dollars: Mitigating the Impact of Child Maltreatment

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Gambling: What are the Odds for Indiana Families?

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Medicaid: Who Benefits, How Expensive is It, and What are States Doing to Control Costs?

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Early Childhood Education and Care: An Economic Development Strategy for Michigan

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Improving Health Care Quality While Curbing Costs

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Supporting Children and Families While Controlling Medicaid Costs

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Child Advocacy in Hard Times

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A Policymaker’s Guide to School Finance: Approaches to Use and Questions to Ask

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Ensuring the Economic Security of Indiana’s Children

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Corrections Policy: Can States Cut Costs and Still Curb Crime?

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Rising Health Care Costs: Employer Purchasing Pools and Other Policy Options

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The Effect of Changes in Tax Policy on Indiana Families

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Moving Families Out of Poverty

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Designing a State Prescription Drug Benefit: Strategies to Control Costs

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Rising Prescription Drug Costs: Reasons, Needs and Policy Responses

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Helping Families Help Themselves

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Reconnecting DC Families: Involving Low-Income Families in the Lives of Their Children

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Helping Poor Kids Succeed: Welfare, Tax and Early Intervention Policies

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Quality Housing for All: Family and Community-Led Initiatives

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Moving Families Out of Poverty: Employment, Tax and Investment Strategies

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The Child Care Crisis in the District of Columbia: Can (or Should) Businesses Fill the Gap?

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Fundraising for Family-Centered Organizations in the District

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Transitioning from Welfare-to-Work in the District: A Family-Centered Perspective

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Caring for our Children: Meeting the Needs of Low-Income, Working Families in the District

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Welfare Reform: Can Government Promote Parental Self-sufficiency While Ensuring the Well-being of Children?

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Family-Friendly Welfare Reform: Using Welfare Policies to Strengthen the Family

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Single Parenthood and Children’s Well-being