From: Sam Lanfranco <[log in to unmask]>, ListMgt for CLICK4HP and CANCHID
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Canadian Policy Research Networks, Inc., is conducting a multi-country
study
of the "Policy Discourse" surrounding "Family and Children policies".

The countries being examined for the study include Canada, the United
States,
the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Sweden, the Netherlands and Norway.

The research contact for the project is: Sarah Cox <[log in to unmask]>

The following is a description of the Project. Interested parties should
contact
Sarah directly and copy information of general interest to CLICK4HP or
CANCHID.
There is some [editing] for this posting to CLICK4HP and CANCHID.
 =============================================================================


Questions for a Comparative Study of the Policy Discourse
on Family and Children policies, Sarah Cox <[log in to unmask]>

(Actual title of project: What is the best policy mix for Canada's
children?)

Introduction

This paper will examine how policies for families and children were
developed
in several countries by exploring the policy discourse and
decision-making process
out of which specific strategies or sets of programs emerged. It will
take an
interdisciplinary approach to the issue, reviewing literature in the
fields of history,
sociology, social work and political science. This will be supplemented
by interviews
with officials, academics and advocates within each country. The paper
is being written
as a companion piece to another paper which will describe what these
countries' family
and children's strategies and programming consist of, and the outcomes
of their particular
approaches. The intention is to study countries with a range of high,
medium and low
outcomes for children. Countries being examined for the study include
Canada, the
United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Sweden, the
Netherlands and Norway.

We appreciate that the following questions are very broad and cover a
great deal of
ground. There is no expectation of any written work on your part, but
instead these
questions are intended to launch a general discussion on family and
child policy in
[country].

[The project is underway and would like to establish contacts for
consultations,
either by phone or email, during December. It could set up dates and
times for
conference calls].. at your convenience,... so that we can discuss your
particular
perspective on these questions.  Furthermore, if you think of someone
that we should
speak with or written materials that relate to this project and the
issues, please
[email suggestions to <[log in to unmask]>]....

Framework of questions to be addressed for each country:

1)      Is there an overall strategy (explicit or implicit) with a clear and
consistent
rationale for families or children in [country] or have policies been
developed in an
ad hoc or reactive way? Do the strategies or ad hoc policies tend to
focus on families
or children or some other objective, e.g., women=s equality in the
labour force, population
policy? Are the strategies or policies reflected clearly in official
government publications
and how are they presented and characterized in these documents?

2)      Have family and child policies been put into place with a view to how
they
intersect or complement other programs? In other words, do they provide
a coordinated
and comprehensive web of policy support for families? Do they emphasize
income support,
services, or a mix of both? Who is responsible for the delivery of
programs, e.g., federal,
state, provincial or municipal levels of government, or employers,
non-governmental
organizations, community associations or others?

3)      Are the strategies or policies for families and children linked to
specific and
measurable outcomes? Are Agood outcomes@ defined, and if so, how are
they identified?Are
they measured and reported? Are governments and/or some other players
held accountable in
any way for their achievement?

4)      How are [country] values brought to bear in the debate and
decision-making on family
and child policies? Which values are seen to be the most important and
why? Does research
or program evaluation have a role in the policy debate? How are family
and children's issues
framed by politicians, advocates, experts and the media?

5)      Who are the key players involved in the debate and ultimately, the
policy-making
process, e.g., women=s groups, experts, advocates, employers,  labour
unions, religious groups?
What perspectives do they bring to the table? How are these different
perspectives brokered,
and by whom?

6)      Can any lessons be drawn from [country] experience for Canada?
Alternatively, are
aspects of the policy discourse and decision-making process particular
to [country] and
could not be adapted to Canada?

-----------------
Sarah R. Cox
Canadian Policy Research Networks Inc.
Tel: (613) 567-7469
Fax: (613) 567-7640
E-Mail: [log in to unmask]