Focus on California Newsletter

The regular Focus on California newsletter highlights new research from RAND in areas of interest to California policymakers.

Our research spans a wide range of issues including improving outcomes for children and families; preparing workers for a global economy; enhancing the wellbeing and retirement of an aging population; assisting disabled and other vulnerable populations; and improving financial decisionmaking.

Latest Newsletters

  • A woman and two men in hard hats on a construction site

    Focus on California: June 2018

    A program to improve the earning potential of workers with criminal convictions; the RAND American Truck Driver Panel; an upcoming conference call on California's early childhood policies; and more.

    Jun 19, 2018

  • Greeting new colleague

    Focus on California: March 2018

    RAND economist Priscillia Hunt discusses her research findings on how policy changes could affect hiring rates for ex-offenders at a Call with the Experts event; RAND Review highlights the emerging issue of "unretirement"; and more.

    Mar 23, 2018

  • An engineer working on an oil field

    Focus on California: December 2017

    Addressing the challenge of workforce development in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia for the oil and natural gas industry; and new research measuring the economic returns from early childhood programs.

    Dec 19, 2017

  • Panelists at the RAND Labor and Population event on the State of the American Worker, on September 12, 2017

    Focus on California: October 2017

    RAND Labor and Population celebrated its 50th anniversary with a policy forum featuring a panel discussion on the State of the American Worker, featuring Krishna Kumar, Jim Hosek, Kathleen Mullen, and Carter Price.

    Oct 10, 2017

  • The Santa Monica Pier in California, illuminated at night with a reflection on shoreline

    Focus on California: August 2017

    New research on the impact of travel and tourism on California's economy shows the industry provides an employment ladder with both entry level and longer-term, stable jobs available.

    Aug 1, 2017

  • A couple looking at financial documents with a calculator

    Focus on California: May 2017

    New research evaluates the reforms to California's CalWORKs welfare-to-work program; and a study into household retirement savings showed that assets and contributions are more likely to be held under the husband or primary earner's name.

    May 1, 2017