FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Sept. 20, 2007

CONTACT: Kavan Peterson
Office: 410-455-1896
kavan@umbc.edu

BALTIMORE – Recent research indicating substantial economic benefits from investing in programs to reduce child poverty will be discussed by top policy researchers and child advocates Sept. 21 at the World Trade Center, in a public forum sponsored by the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) Department of Public Policy.

The economic circumstances in which children grow up have important effects on their success as adults. Recent research indicates that in addition to being justified on moral grounds, spending to improve the conditions in which poor children are raised provides substantial economic returns to the child and society.

From 8 to 10 a.m. Sept. 21, a panel of public policy researchers and child advocates will discuss this intriguing research and the available evidence regarding the effectiveness of different programs and policies that can improve key elements of a disadvantaged child’s life.

Moderator:
Patrick McCarthy
Vice-President for System and Service Reform, The Annie E. Casey Foundation

Panelists:
Hathaway Ferebee
Executive Director, Baltimore's Safe and Sound Campaign

Harry J. Holzer
Professor of Public Policy, Georgetown University

Marvin B. Mandell
Professor of Public Policy, UMBC

The forum is free and open to the public but advance registration is required. Call 410-455-8193, email policyforum@umbc.edu or visit www.umbc.edu/pubpol/forums.

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About UMBC

The University of Maryland, Baltimore County is a major research university in the Baltimore-Washington area. Its proximity to both federal and state government offices provides an ideal setting for training in a public policy program, internships and employment opportunities.

The Department of Public Policy offers a Master of Public Policy, a Ph.D. degree, and advanced graduate certificates. Our major areas of focus are: health policy; evaluation and analytical techniques; public management; social policy; and urban policy. For more information, visit www.umbc.edu/pubpol or call 410-455-3201.