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IEL Policy Exchange

A Hands-On Think Tank
The IEL Policy Exchange connects ideas and leaders throughout government to make policies and programs for children and families work better. It brings all policy players to the table as equal partners -- not just in education and training, but also in health, social services, welfare, juvenile justice and housing.

Policies in all of these areas continually affect the same groups of communities and families. But the legislators and administrators who make and enforce these policies typically do not know each other, much less the details of each other's programs and funding streams. Consequently, policymakers at the federal, state and local levels often view each other as adversaries, rather than as partners.

The Policy Exchange works to bridge these gaps through policy research, publications, catalytic activities, and hands-on learning for policymakers and their top staff members. Because Policy Exchange events are by invitation only, this Web page aims to share lessons learned with a larger audience -- especially with the people who make, influence and study the public policies that affect children and families.

The Policy Exchange focuses on:

Accountability and results: Defining and measuring what really matters to the American public when it comes to children and families. For example: What can policymakers learn from the national indicators of child well-being, which the federal government now publishes annually?
Partnerships across levels of government: Understanding how federal, state and local governments can work together more effectively. For example: How can decisionmakers at all levels untangle the nitty-gritty issues that often drive policies for children and families -- such as finance (who pays and how much) and governance (who makes decisions)?
Connecting reforms across sectors: Seeing how well the various "reform" movements complement each other. For example: What are, or should be, the policy connections among school reform, welfare reform, healthcare reform and tax reform -- all of which largely affect the same groups of people, families and communities?
Connecting research to public policies and programs: Exploring ways to shape public policies and strategies that work. For example: What services and funding streams would most effectively support such important national goals as having children and youth who are healthy and ready to learn?

Activities of the Policy Exchange have been supported by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, The Danforth Foundation, the Ford Foundation, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, federal and state agencies, and others.

Click here to view Policy Exchange-related publications

Click here to view Policy Exchange-related Web sites

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Institute for Educational Leadership
4455 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Suite 310, Washington, DC 20008
Tel: (202) 822-8405, Fax: (202) 872-4050, E-mail: iel@iel.org