The social policy goals of our time are as big as they are important. Achieving them requires both robust research about what interventions work, for whom, and under what circumstances, and a collaborative approach where different stakeholders have a seat at the table. Join us for a conversation where we explore philanthropy’s role in funding early childhood research-policy partnerships and how the Foundation for Child Development’s (the Foundation) New York Early Childhood Research Network—a first-of-its kind collaboration between a foundation, researchers, practitioners, and key policymakers—is applying this approach to investigating and improving the Universal Prekindergarten (UPK) program in New York City.
The program will begin with a framing about the importance of research and policy partnerships for informing critical education decisions. We will walk through a case study about how the Foundation launched its collaborative effort in 2015, focusing specifically on the key roles that researchers, policymakers, funders, and facilitators have played in developing the Network. We will also explore results from the Foundation’s $4 million investment into eight research studies and the actionable and rigorous research findings that are already informing policy conversations around UPK. At a time when the City is gearing up to expand UPK to include 3-K, this conversation on learning and evaluation seems more relevant than ever.
The program will conclude with a panel about research-policy-practice partnerships with philanthropic leaders.
Explore
- The structure of the Network and how it is building the capacity for policy relevant research in New York City, specifically around the Universal Prekindergarten (UPK) program
- The value of the collaborative research and policy partnerships for evidence-based policy making
- The role that funders, researchers, and policymakers play in ensuring that research knowledge informs policy and practice to improve services to children and their families.
- Strategies for building and sustaining investments in policy relevant research
Presenters
Introduction
- Sherry Cleary, Executive Director, New York Early Childhood Professional Development Institute
- Jacqueline Jones, President and Chief Executive Officer, Foundation for Child Development
Speakers
- Kelvin Chan, Director of Early Childhood Development, NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
- Jean Y. Plaisir, Associate Professor, Borough of Manhattan Community College, City University of New York
- Kate Tarrant, Director of Research and Evaluation, New York Early Childhood Professional Development Institute
- Josh Wallack, Deputy Chancellor Strategy and Policy, NYC Department of Education
- Sara Vecchiotti (Moderator), Chief Program Officer, Foundation for Child Development
- Vivian Tseng (Discussant), Senior Vice President, Program, William T. Grant Foundation
Designed for
All interested funders.
Registration
8:45 - 9:00 AM Check-in
9:00 - 11:00 AM Program
Registration is required by October 4.
Members: To register yourself and/or a colleague at your organization, please log in and click the Register Now link above.
Non-Member Funders: Please email register@philanthropynewyork.org
Please email register@philanthropynewyork.org with any questions.