The Schubert Center collaborates with public agencies, nonprofits and other community organizations to promote effective public policies and practices for children and families. Working with the state and local policy and advocacy communities to enhance multidisciplinary collaborations among researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to advance child well-being is a central part of the Center’s policy efforts. We make these kinds of vital connections through strategic policy endeavors, community engagement, and coalition-building efforts, consistent with our Center’s mission.
The Schubert Center’s policy work focuses on vulnerable child populations where additional support—such as policy research and data analysis, translating research to define social problems and identify potential policy opportunities, specific subject matter expertise, and strategic coordination with key stakeholders—can be value-added to current efforts. The policy areas that the Center is involved in include: child welfare and well-being; educational disparities and student supports; legal systems and juvenile justice; physical, mental and social determinants of health; and child poverty and family economic asset-building. Oftentimes, critical issues bridge these general policy areas—for example, our commitment to protecting children from lead poisoning is an issue rooted in health, child welfare, educational supports and economics.
We are also committed to educating Case Western Reserve University students about the role of public policy in child development and how historical and current social and political factors influence and shape child policy and public institutions serving children and young people. Experiential learning is a core part of the policy coursework offered. As our future leaders, our student's understanding of public policy and the value of civic engagement is a key investment.
See the Schubert Center's current policy issues and priorities.
The policy initiatives of the Schubert Center began with support from the George Gund Foundation, which is helping to continue our work today. The Mann Family Endowment partially sustains the critical position of Policy Director.