Yuma, Social Work: Data Sources

American Policy Directory think tanks, advocacy groups by topic via University of Oregon Libraries

Policy File Index This is a collection of public policy research reports from over 350 think tanks, nongovernmental organizations, research institutes, university centers, and advocacy groups

Annie E. Casey Foundation The primary mission of the Foundation is to foster public policies, human-service reforms, and community supports that more effectively meet the needs of today’s vulnerable children and families.

Brookings Institution- One of the oldest think tanks in the United States, the Brookings Institution is an independent, nonpartisan organization that focuses on research and analysis of economic, foreign, and social policy issues. 

Cato Institute- The Cato Institute is a non-profit policy research foundation that resides on the conservative/libertarian side of the political spectrum. Policy analyses, briefs and reports are available online.

Center for American Progress- "The Center for American Progress is an independent nonpartisan educational institute dedicated to improving the lives of Americans through progressive ideas and action."

Center for Family Policy and Practice- "The Center for Family Policy and Practice is a progressive nonprofit organization with expertise in child support and social welfare policies. We advocate for policies, programs, and services that respond to the needs of low-income individuals, families, and communities."

Center for Law and Social Policy-CLASP- CLASP is a national, nonprofit organization that conducts research, policy analysis, and advocacy on issues related to economic security for low-income families with children. This site is a rich source of electronic publications on many issues including welfare policy, child welfare, child support and low-income fathers.

Center for the Study of Social Policy- Using data, extensive community experience and a focus on results, CSSP promotes public policies that strengthen families and protect and lift children from poverty. The Center was founded in 1979 to assist federal, state, and local governments in improving human services for low-income and other disadvantaged populations.

Center on Budget and Policy Priorities - A policy institute and nonpartisan research organization that analyzes a range of government programs and polices, with an emphasis on those affecting low and moderate income people. Areas of research include low-income housing, poverty and income, welfare reform/TANF, food assistance, and health policies

Commonwealth Fund- This organization promotes a health care system that achieves better access, improved quality and efficiency, particularly for low-income people, the uninsured, minority Americans, young children and elderly adults. The Fund supports research on health care issues and policy.

Economic Policy Institute- "The Economic Policy Institute (EPI) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank created in 1986 to include the needs of low- and middle-income workers in economic policy discussions."

Guttmacher Institute- The Institute produces a range of resources on topics pertaining to sexual/reproductive health.

Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation- The Kaiser Family Foundation is a non-profit, private organization focusing on the major health issues facing the nation. The website features publications and data.

Heritage Foundation- The Heritage Foundation is a conservative think tank that promotes public policies based on "…the principles of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, and a strong national defense."

Institute for Policy Research-Northwestern University- Research areas include children/families, communities, urban policy, and poverty/inequality.

Institute for Women's Policy Research- As its name indicates, this policy organization is devoted to issues that are relevant to women and their families. There are links to the institute's research and public policy areas such as poverty, welfare and income security, work and family, and the status of women in the states.

MDRC- This social policy research organizations focuses on low-income people. Policy areas covered include public education, children and families, workers and communities, and welfare and barriers to employment.

National Center for Children in Poverty- The mission of this nonpartisan policy organization is to "identify and promote strategies that prevent child poverty in the United States and that improve the lives of low-income children and families." Strengths of organization include its policy analysis, research, and demographic statistics. 

National Poverty Center- The National Poverty Center (NPC) at the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy at the University of Michigan was established in the fall of 2002 as a university-based, nonpartisan research center.

Pew Center on the States- This site provides state-by-state information and news on innovative public policies in the states, as well as statistics. Easy access to information is through the Issues link.

Pew Research Center- "Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping America and the world. We conduct public opinion polling, demographic research, content analysis and other data-driven social science research."

Policy for Results-CSSP- This site is geared to legislators/policymakers and "summarizes the evidence for policies’ impact on the lives of children and families." It provides state-by-state trend data, shares examples of effective policies from other states, with links to specific legislation, implementation guides, suggests financing strategies to sustain proven policy and results, etc.

PolicyLab- "The mission of PolicyLab at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia is to achieve optimal child health and well-being by informing program and policy changes through interdisciplinary research. 

Population Council- "Throughout its history, the Council's unique role has been to conduct biomedical, social science, and public health research and disseminate evidence to shape more effective policies, programs, and technologies that improve lives around the world." 

Population Reference Bureau- The Population Reference Bureau was established in 1929 and is a private, nonprofit organization that gathers, interprets and disseminates information about U.S. and international population trends and their policy implications. 

RAND Corporation- RAND provides research and analysis covering many policy issues, including children, population and aging, education, health and health care.

Urban Institute- The Urban Institute conducts research that informs policy across a broad range of topics including children, health policy, housing, welfare reform, immigration, cities and metropolitan regions, the nonprofit sector, and tax policy.

Kennedy School of Government- Think Tank Search searches the websites of institutions that generate public policy research, analysis, and activity.

Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation- The Kaiser Family Foundation is a non-profit, private organization focusing on the major health issues facing the nation.