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In the News: Colleen Heflin

Waiving Physical Presence Requirements During the COVID-19 Pandemic Increased WIC Caseloads

Colleen Heflin, William Clay Fannin, Leonard Lopoo, and Camille Barbin
This brief summarizes findings from a study that compared WIC caseload data collected across 738 counties in 10 U.S. states between January 2019 and May 2021 to determine how these waives affected WIC participation.
November 19, 2024

Does the Reference Period Matter When Evaluating the Effect of SNAP on Food Insecurity?

Colleen Heflin, James P. Ziliak

In this paper, Colleen Heflin and co-author examine if protective effects of SNAP against food insecurity are obtained whether using the 30-day or 12-month food insecurity scale. Results indicate comparable average treatment effects across both reference periods. Published in Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy.

November 15, 2024

Colleen Heflin Appointed to Committee on National Statistics

The committee is part of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine and provides guidance to the federal government.

November 8, 2024

How Does the Reauthorization of the Farm Bill Impact SNAP?

Colleen Heflin and Camille Barbin
Negotiations on a new Farm Bill have included SNAP proposals to limit state discretion on work requirements during periods of low job availability, indefinitely freeze the cost of the Thrifty Food Plan, and lift the ban on prepared meals. This brief describes how these proposals could increase food insecurity and suggests way the new Farm Bill could better serve the nutritional needs of low-income households.
October 16, 2024

Heflin Quoted in Newsweek Article on the Farm Bill Reauthorization and Its Impact on SNAP Benefits

“If the appropriations bills are not passed by the end of December, January benefits will still go out because SNAP benefits are obligated in the prior month (December),” says Colleen Heflin, professor of public administration and international affairs.

October 2, 2024

The Effects of Waiving WIC Physical Presence Requirements on Program Caseloads

W. Clay Fannin, Colleen Heflin, Leonard M. Lopoo

“The Effects of Waiving WIC Physical Presence Requirements on Program Caseloads,” co-authored by Maxwell professors Colleen Heflin and Leonard Lopoo, and Ph.D. student W. Clay Fannin, was published in Social Service Review.

September 11, 2024

Participating in Childcare Subsidy Programs Increases Employment and Annual Earnings for Parents

William Clay Fannin, Colleen Heflin, Taryn Morrissey, Siobhan O’Keefe
This brief describes associations between childcare subsidy program participation and household employment and earnings outcomes among low-income families in Virginia. 
July 31, 2024

Earnings and Employment Patterns Following Child-Care Subsidy Receipt

W. Clay Fannin, Colleen Heflin, Taryn Morrissey
“Earnings and Employment Patterns Following Child-Care Subsidy Receipt,” co-authored by Colleen Heflin, professor of public administration and international affairs, and Ph.D. student W. Clay Fannin, was published in Social Service Review.
July 1, 2024

Adopting the Standard Medical Deduction Increased State SNAP Enrollment and Benefits

Yuwei Zhang, Jun Li, Dongmei Zuo, and Colleen M. Heflin
This brief summarizes findings from a study that examined the associations between state SMD adoption and SNAP participation and benefits from 2004 to 2019.
April 9, 2024

Maxwell School Ranks #1 for Public Affairs in 2024

Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs is ranked #1 overall in a survey of its peers and is highly ranked in ten subspecialties, according to the 2024 U.S. News & World Report Best Public Affairs Schools rankings.

April 9, 2024

See related: Awards & Honors, Centennial

Waiving SNAP Interviews during the COVID19 Pandemic Increased SNAP Caseloads

Colleen Heflin, William Clay Fannin, Leonard Lopoo, and Siobhan O’Keefe
This brief summarizes findings from a recent study that used data from SNAP offices across 10 states to examine the impact of SNAP interview waivers on SNAP caseloads from January 5th to April 30th of 2021. 
March 12, 2024

Heflin Quoted in US News Article on MPA and MPP Degrees

“Demand for our highly ranked M.P.A. program remains strong with increased student interest in certificates of advanced study,” says Colleen Heflin, associate dean, professor and chair of public administration and international affairs. “Particularly in the areas of data analytics for public policy, security studies, and conflict and collaboration.”

February 29, 2024

Adopting the Standard Medical Deduction Increased State SNAP Enrollment and Benefits

Yuwei Zhang, Jun Li, Dongmei Zuo, and Colleen M. Heflin
Simplifying administrative requirements for SNAP would make it easier for older adults and people with disabilities to participate in the program.
February 21, 2024

Waiving SNAP Interviews during the COVID-19 Pandemic Increased SNAP Caseloads

Colleen Heflin, William Clay Fannin, Leonard Lopoo, and Siobhan O’Keefe
Counties that implemented the SNAP interview waiver during the COVID-19 pandemic experienced a 5% increase in SNAP participation.
January 10, 2024

Colleen Heflin Receives USDA Grant to Study Nutrition Assistance Programs

The research team will investigate how physical presence waivers impacted participation in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program.

January 8, 2024

Educational Exchanges with Chinese Universities Return to Campus for First Time Since 2019

Executive Education hosted 12 master of public administration and 13 master of business administration students from the faculty of economics and management at East China Normal University (ECNU) from Oct. 4 to Oct. 10 for the program, public management and leadership.

December 11, 2023

See related: Student Experience

Behavioral Science Interventions Could Increase SNAP Comprehension Among Military Families

Colleen Heflin, Hannah Patnaik, Leonard Lopoo, and Siobhan O’Keefe
Making small behavioral science informed changes to SNAP informational flyers increased military & veteran families’ knowledge about benefits & may help to increase SNAP uptake in this population. 
November 28, 2023

Behavioral Science Interventions Could Increase SNAP Comprehension Among Military Families

Colleen Heflin, Hannah Patnaik, Leonard Lopoo, and Siobhan O’Keefe
Making small behavioral science informed changes to SNAP informational flyers increased military & veteran families’ knowledge about benefits & may help to increase SNAP uptake in this population. 
November 15, 2023

PAIA Doctoral Student Receives Grant for SNAP Research

Clay Fannin was awarded $25,000 to continue research he began with professors Colleen Heflin and Len Lopoo.

September 11, 2023

Maxwell School Joins Volcker Alliance to Bring Next Generation Leadership Corps to University

The program will provide training and experiential learning for future public servants across Syracuse’s schools and colleges. 

September 7, 2023
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