Pamela Joshi named to NASEM committee to study opportunity gaps for young children

Pamela Joshi, Policy Research Director for diversitydatakids.org, has been selected as one of 13 experts on a committee convened by the National Academy of Science, Engineering and Medicine, to study "the causes and consequences of the opportunity gap for young children from birth to age eight." “I’m honored to join this timely effort. Addressing opportunity gaps for young children is more urgent than ever, and the committee's work can inform policymakers and institutions charged with the care of our children how to address these gaps and promote success for all children,” says Joshi, who has 20 years of experience conducting research and evaluating public policies relating to family and children’s health in diverse populations. Joshi's research focuses on analyzing social policies from a racial/ethnic equity perspective. Her work asks whether the design, implementation and effectiveness of social policies and programs give all children equitable opportunities and resources for healthy development. Joshi has developed a novel equity-focused policy analysis framework, which she has applied to analyzing key social policies that affect families and children. Her areas of expertise include work and family policy (e.g., Family and Medical Leave), early childhood policies and programs (e.g., Head Start and subsidized child care), and immigrant families’ restricted access to the safety net. Her research has contributed to the evidence that social policies are an important social determinant of child health and development.