M. Rebecca Kilburn

Using Evidence to Strengthen Policies for Investing in Children

RAND Europe is an independent, not-for-profit policy research organisation that aims to improve policy and decisionmaking in the public interest through research and analysis. RANDs publications do not necessarily reflect the opinions of its research clients and sponsors. The European Platform for Investing in Children (EPIC) is an evidence-based online platform that provides information about policies that can help children and their families face the challenges that exist in the current economic climate in Europe. RAND Europe is an independent not-for-profit policy research organisation that aims to improve policy and decision making in the public interest, through research and analysis. RAND Europes clients include European governments, institutions, non-governmental organisations and firms with a need for rigorous, independent, multidisciplinary analysis. The document has been reviewed following RANDs quality assurance processes. The opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the position of the European Commission. iv Acknowledgments We would like to thank Christian van Stolk and Julius op de Beke for comments on earlier drafts. Thank you to Lance Tan for assistance with document preparation. Finally, we very much appreciate the references suggestions and thoughtful review from Joanna Hofman, and thanks to Michael Frearson also for the helpful review.