Social and Behavioral Policy Projects

Selected research projects from Social and Behavioral Policy.

Interacting with Autism: A USC-RAND Partnership
The University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts partnered with RAND's Southern California Evidence-based Practice Center (EPC) to produce a video-based website about autism, Interacting with Autism.
Evaluating SB 1041 Reforms to California's CalWORKs Program
The California Department of Social Services has funded research to determine if SB 1041 is achieving its objectives of improving participant well-being and flexibility of services, as well as if there are any unintended consequences.
Evaluation of California's Statewide Mental Health Prevention and Early Intervention Initiatives
The RAND Corporation is evaluating California's statewide prevention and early intervention programs, which aim to reduce negative outcomes for people experiencing mental illness.
CBITS Offers Online Training and Support to Improve Mental Health of Children and Families
The Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Trauma in Schools (CBITS) program is a school-based, group, and individual intervention. CBITS is designed to reduce symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and behavioral problems, and to improve grades and attendance, peer and parent support, and coping skills.
Policy Options for Improving Child Welfare
Every year, about 3 million children in the U.S. face abuse or neglect. Expanding prevention and treatment services in the child welfare system could improve the lives of children and reduce lifetime expenses by 3 to 7 percent.
Health Services and the Head Start Program
A RAND project surveys Head Start health managers to determine how services are prioritized, sustained, and implemented. Researchers will also identify program features and policy levers that support Head Start health services.
Eating Well with Loncheras
Eating Well with Loncheras is a pilot program to help Loncheras food trucks in the Los Angeles area offer healthier, alternative meal options to improve the health and well-being of the Latino community.
The RAND Military Caregivers Study
The RAND Military Caregivers Study focuses on caregivers of wounded, ill, and injured U.S. military servicemembers and veterans.
Navigating Mental Health Care for Veterans
Findings and resources from RAND's vast body of research provide insights on how to help more veterans receive the mental health care they need.
RAND Assesses Post-Deployment Health-Related Needs of Iraq Veterans
The Invisible Wounds of War Study assessed Iraq veterans' health-related needs associated with PTSD, major depression, and traumatic brain injury; examined the treatment capacity of the current health care system; and estimated the costs of providing quality health care to all military members who need it.
Welcome Back Veterans Initiative
The Welcome Back Veterans initiative supported organizations that provided programs and services to address the mental health needs of returning veterans and their families.