Children, Families, and Policy Lab

Advancing safety & well-being for economically disadvantaged children & families through data-driven research & community collaboration.

[Children, Families, and Policy Lab @cfpresearchlab]

🎉 New Data Release!

Liwei Zhang, Rujie Ma & Orion Mowbray (UGA) published a public archive of COVID-era SNAP policies across all 50 states + D.C. (2020–2023).

📂 Data: https://t.co/5pdz06IrYa
📰 Details: https://t.co/ha1paSIV2f
#SNAP #FoodInsecurity #OpenData

[Children, Families, and Policy Lab @cfpresearchlab]

🌟 Community Partner Spotlight!

We're grateful for Family Promise of Athens and their work supporting families facing housing instability.

💙 Special thanks to Acting Executive Director Brandy Howard for her expertise and partnership in our research!

#UGA #SocialWork

[Children, Families, and Policy Lab @cfpresearchlab]

🎉 Welcome Siri Rachur to UGA’s Children, Families & Policy Lab!

A Psychology & Social Work double major, Siri hopes to become a child and adolescent therapist. Her research focuses on family well-being.

🎸 Fun fact: Her goal is to learn guitar!

#UGA #CFPLab #Psychology

[Children, Families, and Policy Lab @cfpresearchlab]

🌟 Community Partner Spotlight!

Meet Dr. Cynthia Román-Hernández, VP at the Latin American Association and a valued CFPLab partner!

With 20+ years in social work, she champions Latino families and community-driven research.

💙 Thank you for your partnership!

#UGA #SocialWork

[Children, Families, and Policy Lab @cfpresearchlab]

🏠 Can housing protections help keep families together?

📢 New study in JAMA Health Forum by Yi Wang, Liwei Zhang & Lawrence M. Berger examines how COVID-19 eviction moratoria relate to foster care entries.

🔗 https://t.co/1uxw1ExYMS

#UGA #ChildWelfare #HousingPolicy

[Children, Families, and Policy Lab @cfpresearchlab]

🎉 Welcome Natalie Mulholland to UGA’s Children, Families & Policy Lab!

A dual MSW/MPH student, Natalie focuses on maternal health, reproductive equity, and community outreach.

🤝 Her goal: Expand maternal health resources for underserved communities!

#UGA #CFPLab

[Children, Families, and Policy Lab @cfpresearchlab]

🎉 Welcome Nicole Bechill to UGA’s Children, Families & Policy Lab!

An MSW student with 15+ years in art and music, Nicole focuses on mental health, maternal health, and empowerment.

🦸‍♀️ Fun fact: Her superhero pick is Wonder Woman!

#UGA #CFPLab #SocialWork #MentalHealth

[Children, Families, and Policy Lab @cfpresearchlab]

🎉 Welcome Sajede Tavakoli to UGA’s Children, Families & Policy Lab!

A doctoral student studying women’s mental health and immigration policy, Sajede brings curiosity and passion to our team.

🦅 Fun fact: She identifies with the eagle—curious and independent!

#UGA #CFPLab

[Children, Families, and Policy Lab @cfpresearchlab]

❤️ Community engagement in action!

UGA’s Yingying Zeng, Laura Villegas & Nayeli Herrera-Grados joined LAA’s Health Expo in Atlanta, connecting Latino families with resources and sharing research.

Thank you, LAA, for hosting!

#CommunityEngagement #UGASocialWork

[Children, Families, and Policy Lab @cfpresearchlab]

📢 New Publication!

Our review of 10 U.S. studies suggests that stronger SNAP benefits are linked to reduced child maltreatment and foster care entries.

Congrats to Liwei Zhang, Xi Wang & Ruopeng An!

🔗https://t.co/YQRvHKvT8P

#ChildWelfare #SNAP #SocialPolicy

[Children, Families, and Policy Lab @cfpresearchlab]

🌍 Expanding global partnerships! UGA’s Liwei Zhang visited ZHAW in Switzerland, sparking a new Fall 2026 teaching partnership featuring virtual exchanges, guest lectures, and discussions on poverty and social welfare policy.

#UGA #ZHAW #GlobalLearning

[Children, Families, and Policy Lab @cfpresearchlab]

Our Children, Families, & Policy Lab members—Jana Woodiwiss, Joyce Ndungu, Laura Villegas, and Kylie Nichole Wood—recently participated in the Back-to-School Community Event hosted by our community partner, Family Promise of Athens.

#CommunityEngagement #FamilyPromiseAthens #UGA

[Children, Families, and Policy Lab @cfpresearchlab]

Last week, our team conducted outreach in Atlanta with families using economic support programs. Thank you to the Latin American Association for helping ensure research reflects community experiences. Led by UGA professors Liwei Zhang and Yingying Zeng.

#CommunityEngagement #UGA

[Children, Families, and Policy Lab @cfpresearchlab]

Congrats to our graduating lab members Anna Cummings, Kylie Wood, and Molly Kavanaugh! Your hard work, growth, and impact won’t be forgotten. Wishing you all the best in what’s next 🎓

[Children, Families, and Policy Lab @cfpresearchlab]

Excited to share our new publication on child maltreatment risk and services post-COVID!

📄 Zhang, L., Kohl, P. L., Woodiwiss, J. L., & Ndungu, J. J. W. (2026).

🔗https://t.co/F0C0xgoTIh

#ChildWelfare #SocialWork #PublicHealth #Research #MixedMethods

[Children, Families, and Policy Lab @cfpresearchlab]

Meet Aaliyah Utti, one of the many community partners who helps make the work that we do at the Children, Families, and Policy Lab possible!

[Children, Families, and Policy Lab @cfpresearchlab]

We're using data, research, and community collaboration to improve child well-being and influence policy. Every child deserves to thrive. 🌟 #ChildWelfare #UGASocialWork #PolicyMatters

[Children, Families, and Policy Lab @cfpresearchlab]

Meet the people behind the research 💡
Our team at the Children, Families, & Policy Lab is driven to create lasting change for children and families.

Next up we have our PhD candidates: Jana Woodiwiss, Joyce Ndungu, Ruijie Ma, and Max Moon!

[Children, Families, and Policy Lab @cfpresearchlab]

Meet the people behind the research 💡
Our team at the Children, Families, & Policy Lab is driven to create lasting change for children and families.

Up first is the Director of the Lab, Dr. Liwei Zhang!

[Children, Families, and Policy Lab @cfpresearchlab]

We use research + community insight to help shape policies that support economically disadvantaged kids and families