On November 15 and 16, 2007, The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago’s Economic Research and Consumer and Community Affairs Departments in partnership with the Upjohn Institute for Employment Research, will hold a conference titled Strategies for Improving Economic Mobility of Workers.
The conference will bring together researchers, community development practitioners and policymakers in an informed discussion regarding issues affecting the economic well being of low-income workers and vulnerable populations. Participants will gain valuable insights from interactive research session presentations and panel discussions on the role and the effectiveness of specific programs and initiatives on education, transportation and workforce development.
Strategies for Improving Economic Mobility of Workers
11/15/07
Registration and Breakfast
Welcoming Remarks
Charles L. Evans, President and Chief Executive Officer, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago
Randall Eberts, Executive Director, Upjohn Institute for Employment Research
Session I: Setting the Stage–Trends in Work, Wages and Poverty
Moderator
Maude Toussaint-Comeau, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago
Panelists
David Autor, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Alan Berube, The Brookings Institution
Peter Gosselin, Los Angeles Times
Break
Session II: Spatial Mismatch–Moving to Work, Networks, Business Incentives
Moderator
William Testa, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago
Panelists
James Rosenbaum, Northwestern University
- Can residential mobility programs improve human capital? Comparing social mechanisms in different kinds of programs
- Presentation
William Spriggs, Howard University
Robin Snyderman, Metropolitan Planning Council
Discussant
Daniel McMillen, University of Illinois
Luncheon and Guest Speaker
Alex Kotlowitz, Author and Journalist
Session III: Income Support, EITC, Welfare to Work
Moderator
Bhashkar Mazumber, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago
Panelists
Molly Dahl, Congressional Budget Office
Hilary Hoynes, University of California, Davis
- The Earned Income Tax Credit, Welfare Reform, and the Employment of Low Skill Single Mothers
- Presentation
Do Temporary Help Jobs Improve Labor Market Outcomes for Low-Skilled Workers?
Susan Houseman, Upjohn Institute for Employment Research
Discussant
Thomas DeLeire, University of Wisconsin
Break
Session IV: Workforce Development–The Power of Public/Private Partnerships
Moderator
Maria Hibbs, The Partnership for New Communities
Panelists
Evelyn Diaz, Mayor’s Office, City of Chicago
Donald Sykes, Mayor’s Office, City of Milwaukee
Brenda Palms-Barber, North Lawndale Employment Network
Bob Giloth, Annie E. Casey Foundation
Keynote Lecture
Alan S. Blinder, Princeton University
Cocktail Reception
Adjourn
11/16/07
Continental Breakfast
Session V: Evaluations of Training and Vocational Programs
Moderator
Alicia Williams, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago
Panelists
Robert LaLonde, University of Chicago
Burt Barnow, John Hopkins University
John Tyler, Brown University
- Correctional Programs in the Age of Mass Incarceration: What Do We Know About "What Works"
- Presentation
Discussant
Kristin F. Butcher, Wellesley College
Break
Session VI: Financial Aid, Education, Employment Prospects
Moderator
Lisa Barrow, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago
Panelists
Harry J. Holzer, Georgetown University
Bridget Terry Long, Harvard University
Lashawn Richburg Hayes, MDRC
Discussant
Lisa Barrow, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago
Luncheon and Keynote Address
Edward Lazear, Chairman, President's Council of Economic Advisers
Session VII: Where to Go From Here–Policy Panel
Moderator
Unmi Song, Lloyd A. Fry Foundation
Panelists
Bruce Meyer, University of Chicago
Greg Duncan, Northwestern University
Edwin Meléndez, New School University
