Master of Arts in Policy Studies

As the United States marks 50 years since the beginning of the Great Society social programs initially intended to end rural poverty the results of this endeavor are far from complete. Over eighty percent of the most impoverished counties in the United States are rural with double digit unemployment and limited potential for economic growth. Although traditional welfare transfer structures have helped to stabilize rural communities, theses transfers have not created the economic development necessary to break the bonds of poverty. The Earned Income Tax Credit(EITC) presents a difference policy tool for economic development. The EITC essential functions as a wage subsidy lifting 6.5 million people out of poverty, including over 3 million children, every year through a post-tax transfer of up to $6,000 dollars for a family of five. The EITCs proven record of incentivising work and reducing the need for in-kind government transfers has earned the credit bipartisan support. My analysis demonstrates the potential benefits of utilizing a modified EITC as a targeted rural development tool in southwest Washington. Name: Omer Terrason Title: Imposing charging and parking limits on electric vehicles that have attained their maximum state-ofcharge at free electric vehicle public charging stations Abstract: This study aims to deduce whether the incumbent policies surrounding “free” electric vehicle This study aims to deduce whether the incumbent policies surrounding “free” electric vehicle public charging stations are being abused and horded by the electric vehicle drivers/owners as privileged parking, and it shall attempt to determine the propensity of electric vehicle drivers/owners who deny others access to electric vehicle charging stations by leaving an electric vehicle connected that does not need a charge or needs very little charge. Furthermore, the study through historical data, trend analysis, and sales projections of electric vehicles versus the planned installations of electric vehicle charging stations shall attempt to project the breadth of the problem and the probability when this problem could severely undermine the spirit in which this public good was established. Moreover, the study shall make policy recommendations to preemptively address this problem. Name: Laurie J. Tuff Title: Court Appointed Special Advocates: Are they effective? Do they affect the well-being of children? Abstract: Studies evaluating the effectiveness of Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) as Studies evaluating the effectiveness of Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) as advocates for children in foster care have previously compared cases assigned a CASA to those without a CASA, without consideration for the higher-level risk factors inherent in cases assigned a CASA. Children with a higher level of abuse or neglect are likely to experience more negative outcomes, CASA assignment notwithstanding. As a result, little empirical evidence has been generated to evaluate the effectiveness of CASAs in child dependency cases. This study examines the effectiveness of Snohomish County CASA volunteers and their impact on child well-being by comparing cases with and without a CASA, controlling for case severity and demographics. This study asks the questions: Are CASA’s effective? Do they affect the well-being of children? Effectiveness is measured by the length of stay in foster care, the number of out-of-home placements, the number of school changes, and the number of services obtained for the children. Well-being is measured by proxy by positive school engagement and extended-family contact, as documented in reports filed with the Superior Court for the State of Washington, Snohomish County. The empirical evidence generated by this study will lay a foundation for future studies of CASA effectiveness.