Lerner Center Research Publications

"The Social and Community Consequences of the Opioid Epidemic," co-authored by Colleen Heflin, professor of public administration and international affairs, was published in The ANNALS of the Academy of Political and Social Science.

This brief summarizes the results from a  study that evaluated the effects of exposure to prescription and illicit opioids during pregnancy on infant health and wellbeing at birth. 

This study finds that children in households that participate in more than one social assistance program (such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs, and Free or Reduced-Price Lunch) have lower literacy skills when they enter kindergarten than children whose households participate in fewer or no social programs. 

This brief summarizes findings examining the relationship between exposure to UFM in kindergarten and attendance and weight outcomes in NYC students from grades K-3. The results demonstrate that children who receive free meals through UFM in kindergarten have better school attendance than those who do not. In addition, there is no evidence receiving free meals in kindergarten affects weight outcomes.  

This data slice examines the changes in grandparenting in rural China and calls for policies that decrease caregiver burnout, stress, and associated poor health outcomes. 

This brief summarizes findings from research examining the connection between SNAP participation and preventative care in an infant’s first year of life in Missouri.

This data slice analyzes 2019 administrative data from Virginia to examine gaps in child care subsidy receipts.

This brief summarizes findings from a recently published paper examining administrative data from the Commonwealth of Virginia. 

This brief summarizes findings from a study examining participation in SNAP and TANF in early childhood in Virginia.