Subject Expert
Government Agencies & Portals
Use these sites to identify official policy statements of federal and state agencies, or to find documents and data on the implementation of government policies and programs.
- Catalog of U.S. Government PublicationsU.S. federal government database of official publications, from 1976 to present. Online documents are linked.
- govinfo (Advanced Search)Search software for federal documents (from the U.S. Government Publishing Office). Includes congressional bills, committee prints, hearings, reports, public and private laws, Statutes at Large and other congressional documents, as well as the History of Bills.
- USA.govThe official gateway to all current U.S. government-related information on the Web
- U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, Assistant Secretary for Planning & EvaluationThe advanced search at this HHS agency allows you to specify service areas, states of jurisdiction, target populations, and individual programs. Includes resources from their Policy Information Center.
- Children's BureauAnother agency under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that works with state and local agencies to promote child welfare.
- Child Welfare Information GatewayThe premier site for federal government policy and programs relating to adoption and child abuse.
- Office of Disability Employment PolicyComprehensive disability resources from the federal government, with links to state and local agencies and organizations.
- U.S. Government Accountability Office: Reports & TestimoniesSearch or browse official reports from the "investigative arm of Congress" on social services and related issues.
- Access WashingtonGateway for all government agencies in Washington state
- Washington State Institute for Public PolicyA research agency authorized by the Washington state legislature to create programs and reports that address policy questions relating to child welfare, criminal justice, health and education.
- Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS)The executive level agency that provides social support services to over one-third of Washington residents. Browse the Programs & Adminstrations areas for your topical interest, then work down through the menus.
- Reports to the Legislature (Washington DSHS)Browse or keyword search this official repository of agency progress reports for the area of your interest.
Non-Governmental Organizations
Use these non-profit sites to locate informed commentary, news, and reports on social policies, plus advocacy for policy reforms.
- AARP Public Policy InstituteIndependent research, issue analysis and opinions on topics relating to older Americans from the organization formerly known as the American Association of Retired Persons.
- Archive-it.org: Congressional Research Service ReportsGovernment-subsidized research reports on all sorts of domestic and foreign policy issues, as provided by a variety of non-profit organizations. The search engine brings up much non-CRS material, therefore browsing the collections might be a better option ...
- Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP)A public interest law firm started this progressive policy site focusing on "issues affecting low-income and disadvantaged persons".
- Center for the Study of Social PolicySearch the publications database of this nonprofit policy research institute for analysis of child welfare, health, education, and community decision-making policies in the United States.
- Center on Budget and Policy Priorities"Working at the federal and state levels on fiscal policy and public programs that affect low- and moderate-income families and individuals"
- Food Research & Action Center: Data CenterOffers U.S. data on nutrition and poverty, plus state-level participation in federal nutrition programs.
- National Association of Social Workers: Legislative IssuesProvides issue briefs based on Congress legislative agenda in the following areas: child welfare, civil rights, economic equity, education, health, loan forgiveness, and mental health.
- National Law Center on Homelessness and PovertyOffers news, reports, and "action alerts" on issues relating to housing, domestic violence, income, children & youth, human rights, civil rights, and the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
- PolicyArchiveA nonprofit storage and dissemination site for public policy documents from a wide variety of state, national, and international agencies and organizations. You can also register for free newsletter updates on the policy issues of your choice.
- Public AgendaPresents varying perspectives on controversial policy issues, supported primarily by survey research.
- The Urban Institute"Non-partisan economic and social policy research" on urban issues including crime, economy, education, health care, housing, welfare, and work.
- U.S. PIRGA federation of state-level Public Interest Research Groups that lobby for policy reform, with legislative updates and issue briefs on topics like consumer protection, health care, transportation, and budget policy.