21st Century Learning Programs

"When Schools Stay Open Late: The National Evaluation of the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Program. New Findings." Mark Dynarski, Susanne James-Burdumy, Mary Moore, Linda Rosenberg, John Deke, and Wendy Mansfield, October 2004. Mathematica's latest report shows that 21st Century after-school programs, which currently spend $1 billion a year in federal funding, changed where and with whom students spent some of their after-school time. But our analysis also reveals that programs had only limited influence on academic performance, including test scores, grades, and homework completion.

Childhood Obesity

“Preventing Childhood Obesity: Health in the Balance.” Institute of Medicine, 2004, Committee on Prevention of Obesity in Children and Youth, of which Robert C. Whitaker was a member. The increasing number of obese children and youth throughout the U.S. has led policymakers to rank obesity as a critical health threat. This report provides a broad-based examination of the nature, extent, and consequences of obesity in the nation, including the social, environmental, medical, and dietary factors responsible. It also offers a prevention-oriented action plan that identifies the most promising short-term and longer-term interventions, as well as recommendations for the roles and responsibilities of industry, advertising, the media, schools, parents, and health care professionals in obesity prevention.

Mental Health Parity

"National Estimates of Mental Health Insurance Benefits." Myles Maxfield, Lori Achman, and Anna Cook, April 2004. While there has been considerable attention to the issue of parity as a means of improving mental health coverage, little is known about the extent of current levels of coverage and the generosity of benefits. This report provides an overview of mental health insurance benefits for 1999. The researchers found that 76 percent of the U.S. population had mental health benefits as part of their health insurance, with state-to-state variations ranging from 69 to 80 percent; approximately 52 percent of those with health insurance had mental health benefits that met a benchmark standard of 30 inpatient days, 20 outpatient visits, and prescription drug coverage; and 37 percent of those with health insurance coverage had parity in mental health benefits.

Building Strong Families

“Building Strong Families: Guidelines for Developing Programs.” Alan M. Hershey, Barbara Devaney, M. Robin Dion, and Sheena McConnell, August 2004. Mathematica and other experts working with the BSF team are helping agencies plan targeted healthy marriage initiatives for unwed couples who are about to or who have just had a baby. These guidelines will help interested sponsors design and deliver program services. In addition, the guidelines detail the three program components that all BSF programs must include: instruction in skills associated with healthy marriage, family support services, and family coordinators. The publication also describes an optional fourth component to reduce marriage disincentives created by government programs and policies.

Upcoming Presentations

The 2004 research conference of the Association for Public Policy and Management will take place in Atlanta from October 28 to 30. The theme of the conference, "Creating and Using Evidence in Public Policy Analysis and Management," will help disseminate new accomplishments, foster integration, and share ideas across disciplines and areas. Check out the large contingent of Mathematica staff who will be presenting. Check out the large contingent of Mathematica staff who will be presenting.