For a bit of summer reading this year, I perused some of the
most recent Wilder Research reports and took time to reflect on them. The past
couple of months contain just a sampling of the more than 200 reports that we
produce each year – all of them intended to enhance people’s lives by sharing
relevant, actionable information that can improve our communities.
While research isn’t beach reading for everyone, I encourage
you to think about this as a back-to-school reading list, spanning a variety of
topics and issues. Below you will see some of the things that you can learn
from our recent reports. I encourage you to explore the links and see what else
these reports contain.
From our Big Picture Project,
one report which reflects our research on the Central Corridor, intended to
document how the construction of a new light rail line affects the urban
neighborhoods through which it passes: “The Green Line has been up and
running for one year, and change is evident for all parts of the corridor.” The
number of new housing units has increased, as have advertised rents. Unique
relative to national counterparts, the Central Corridor initiative has focused
efforts to increasing park space along the rail line; no other city has yet to
develop goals or metrics for the amount of parkland in a transit corridor.
From our Central
Corridor Tracker, another report on the effects of the new Green Line: Along
the Central Corridor, single family housing values are rising. The business
mix, defined by type of business, has not changed. However, the mix defined by
size of business has begun to change – with the smallest businesses declining,
and mid-size businesses making gains.
From an infographic developed
by our study of children with incarcerated parents, providing details on the
chemical use behaviors of youth with incarcerated parents: Such youth “face
more chemical health concerns than youth who have not experienced parental
incarceration.” One in 10 youth with an incarcerated parent, who has used
alcohol or other drugs, reported becoming violent or acting violently while
they were intoxicated (versus 1 in 100 youth who has not had an incarcerated
parent).
From our study,
Families with Young Children Who Are Deaf and Hard of Hearing in Minnesota:
Some of the most common needs for parents of young children who are deaf and
hard of hearing are: Emotional support; connections with similar families; role
models that their child can look up to; hope for the future; American Sign
Language capability; and information about assistive technology, such as
cochlear implants and hearing aids.
From an essay on early
childhood policies to prevent inequities: “Social, economic, and
educational inequities and their lifelong adverse consequences are
preventable…Reaching the goal of optimal healthy development for all children
requires concerted, interconnected policy efforts across public and private
sectors and disciplines and in partnership with families. The disadvantaged
families affected by inequities must help shape and sustain the policies and
community-led practices to strengthen themselves and their children within a
cultural context.” Richard Chase explains the rationale for this conclusion in
this short position paper – calling for government, schools, and other
organizations to act, but also for families to take action on their own behalf.
From a report on the
early childhood program, Invest Early: Invest Early is having county-wide
impacts, serves higher-risk and underserved populations, and has convincingly
demonstrated that it prepares low-income students for success.
From a report on a
pilot study of Signs of Safety, a strengths-based, safety-organized child
protection intervention strategy: The study offered insight into the
process of delivering service. “Good communication and giving parents a voice
are critical in working with families.” The study also identified some of the
results. For example, caseworkers who respect and listen to parents increase
the satisfaction levels of parents. With a formal network ready to help,
parents feel more confident in asking for help with difficult aspects of their
lives. The study also says, “Reliance on safety planning diminishes over time,
but families find it helpful.” This seems to indicate that the strategy empowers
families to act on their own.
Our website, www.wilderresearch.org,
contains information on these studies, and hundreds more. We welcome the
opportunity to work with any organization, large or small, to improve the lives
of individuals, families, and communities.
