Providing Research for Pennsylvania's Children, Youth, and Families
The Universities Children's Policy Collaborative (UCPC) is a partnership involving the Pennsylvania State University, Temple University, and the University of Pittsburgh. Researchers from these three universities provide research, data, and experts to address issues affecting the well-being of children, youth, and families in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
UCPC works with foundations, legislators, journalists, and the legislature executive branch of state government to provide scientific information to help improve child and family policy and program results in Pennsylvania.
What We Do
UCPC presents balanced, non-partisan, thorough evaluations of evidence related to child policy problems so that policy makers can do their work more effectively.
Unlike advocacy organizations, the UCPC does not champion specific solutions. Emphasis is placed on reviewing documented best practice evidence, evaluation studies, and empirical research to determine effective programs to address specified problems.
Researchers
Nationally prominent researchers from Pennsylvania's three premier state-related universities are available to report on scientific evidence, conduct or supervise original research, evaluate programs, or provide testimony in a timely manner.
Types of Information
Research reviews, best practices information, original data, case statements, evaluation reports, and critical evaluations of other states' activities and innovative programs.
Methods for Information Sharing
Face-to-face briefings, legislative forums, site visits, briefing letters, and reports from focus groups of scholars and other experts. UCPC customizes its approach with clients and pledges confidentiality for infomration requested or provided.
Past and Potential Clients
Foundations, nonprofit agencies, government agencies, journalists, individual legislators, and candidates for legislative office.
Examples of Key Projects
Brief reports on juvenile violence, preschool programming, teen abstinence programs, and other timely policy topics prepared for state political candidates.
Specific reports for the Governor's Task Force on Early Childhood Care and Education (Fall 2002):
- Early Care and Education - The Keystone of Pennsylvania's Future
Benchmarking Early Care and Education in Pennsylvania: The 2002 Pennsylvania Family Survey (Executive Summary)- The State of Early Care and Education in Pennsylvania: The 2002 Higher Education Survey (Executive Summary)
- A Baseline Report of Early Care and Education in Pennsylvania: The 2002 Early Care and Education Provider Survey (Executive Summary)
- From Science to Policy: Research on Issues, Programs, and Policies in Early Care and Education
- The Pennsylvania Early Childhood Quality Settings Study
Brochures
- Universities Children's Policy Collaborative brochure
(.pdf, 87kb, full version) - Universities Children's Policy Collaborative brochure
(.pdf, 84kb, short version)
Publications
FOURTH IN A SERIES OF ESSAYS ON THE FUTURE OF EDUCATION IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
Early Childhood Education: Universal Pre-K and Other Alternatives
For More Information
- Christina J. Groark
- Co-Director, Office of Child Development
- School of Education
- LL104 LXONE
- University of Pittsburgh
- Pittsburgh, PA 15208
- Phone: 412-244-5303
- cgroark@pitt.edu
- Robert McCall
- Co-Director, Office of Child Development
- School of Education
- University of Pittsburgh
- LL104 LXONE
- Pittsburgh, PA 15260
- phone: 412-244-5421
- mccall2@pitt.edu
- Mark T. Greenberg
- Director, Prevention Research Center
- College of Health and Human Development
- Penn State University
- S112B Henderson Building
- University Park, PA 16801
- Phone: 814-863-0112
- Fax: 814-865-2530
- mxg47@psu.edu
- Marsha Weinraub
- Laura H. Carnell Professor of Psychology
- Chairperson, Department of Psychology
- Temple University
- 6th Floor Weiss Hall
- 1701 N 13th Street
- Philadelphia, PA 19122
- Phone: 215-204-7360
- Fax: 215-204-5539
- marhsa.weinraub@temple.edu