Is it the best or worst of times for advancing public policy on behalf of children and families? Economic turmoil and financial implosions are straining families and the public and private resources devoted to helping young people and their parents. Meanwhile, the next president may have a unique opportunity to use his political capital and perceived mandate for change to craft a new family-policy path.

Just nine days after Americans cast their ballots, a panel of experts scan the election results, the economic landscape, and past transitions for insights into where child and family public policy may be headed and why. What are the dynamics of a presidential transition? How will changes at either end of Pennsylvania Avenue affect the executive and legislative branches? What will it take for children's issues to become a higher priority? What is similar this year to the past and what's new? And what will the answers to these questions mean for those who advocate for children and families?

Panelists

Shelley Waters Boots, senior research associate, Center on Labor, Human Services, and Population, The Urban Institute (moderator)

Stephen Goldsmith, director, Innovations in American Government Program, Harvard's Kennedy School of Government; former mayor, Indianapolis; chief domestic policy adviser, 2000 George W. Bush campaign

Joan Huffer, director, Federal Budget Initiative, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities; former senior analyst for education and appropriations issues, Senate Budget Committee

Martha Kumar, director, White House Transition Project; professor of political science, Towson University

Sheri Steisel, federal affairs counsel and senior director of the Human Services Committee, National Conference of State Legislatures