Over the past year, viewers to our web site were most drawn to the following topics and publications:
Homelessness in Minnesota
Since 1991, Wilder Research has conducted a triennial statewide homelessness study to better understand the causes, circumstances and effects of homelessness. A summary of key findings from the 2009 study  was released last March, followed by the full report, data tables and a number of specialized publications including homeless children and families, and homeless veterans.
Evaluation tipsheet series
Developed for our popular workshop series, tip sheets include Evaluation on a shoestring budget, Essential steps of evaluation, Logic models, and The role of surveys.
Unequal distribution of health
Commissioned by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, this report uncovers links between health outcomes and income, education, neighborhood conditions, and race in the Twin Cities. A companion piece provides highlights from the report and summarizes efforts currently underway to address health inequities.
New age of immigrants
Commissioned by The Minneapolis Foundation, a summary and report provide both the most current statistics on immigration in Minnesota, and its impact on communities throughout the state.
Early childhood care and education
Several reports were released in 2010 and have sparked interest throughout Minnesota including Babies in Minnesota: Minnesota Early Childhood Initiative, which summarizes progress as a result of efforts from 86 coalitions covering more than 200 greater Minnesota communities, and Child care use in Minnesota, an overview of child care choices, availability, quality and affordability for families with children 12 and younger.

Previous Recommendations

HEATHER JOHNSON--Library Services Manager 
Want to make sure you implement a program or practice that has been proven effective? Heather recommends these databases to help you find evidence-based, human service and education interventions.
National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices, SAMHSA
Lifecourse Interventions to Nurture Kids Successfully, Child Trends
Programs that Work, Promising Practices Network
Campbell Collaboration
Blueprints for Violence Prevention, Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence
Social Programs that Work, Coalition for Evidence-Based Policy
What Works Clearinghouse, U.S. Department of Education

CARYN MOHR--Research Associate
Caryn works on many projects related to early childhood education, and recommends the following web sites as particularly informative resources:
National Institute for Early Education Research
Child Care and Early Education Research Connections
Human Capital Research Collaborative
Mathematica Policy Research
National Center for Research on Early Childhood Education

NATALIE ALIZAGA--Wilder Fellow
Natalie has worked on a number of research projects related to cancer, and is particularly interested in understanding racial/ethnic disparities in cancer rates. She recommends the following reports for useful information on this topic.
Minnesota Cancer Facts and Figures, 2009 
The Populations of Color Health Status Report 
Cancer in Minnesota: Racial and Ethnic Disparities
2009 Health Care Disparities Report

CHRISTA OTTESON -- Research associate
Christa recommends the following reports for finding reliable facts on immigration presented in a balanced way:
Economic Impact of Immigrants
Public Health Care Eligibility Determination for Noncitizens
Rural Residence as a Determinant of Attitudes Toward U.S. Immigration Policy
MN State Demographic Center’s International Immigration and Foreign-Born Population 
The Economic Logic of Illegal Immigration

RACHEL HARDEMAN -- Research associate
Rachel recommends the following reading to better understand health inequities in Minnesota, and strategies to reduce them:
What is a health disparity?
Economic burden of health inequalities in the United States
Unequal treatment: Confronting racial and ethnic disparities in health care

NANCY HARTZLER -- Communications manager 
Nancy finds these recommendations from Minnesota Public Relations Linked-in group for keeping up on social network trends very useful:
GeekGirls Guide.com
PewInternet.org
Ragan.com
TwiTip
MarketingProfs.com

HEATHER JOHNSON -- Information management specialist
Heather  recommends these publications to learn more about corporate philanthropy.
Meeting the collaboration challenge: Developing strategic alliances between nonprofit organizations and business
Put corporate philanthropy to work with skills-based volunteering
Corporate Philanthropy, Giving Forum Spring 2009, Minnesota Council on Foundations

KRISTIN DILLON -- Research associate
Kristin recommends these articles on youth tobacco and risk-taking behaviors:
National Survey of American Attitudes on Substance Abuse XIV: Teens and Parents
Parent Awareness of Youth Use of Cigarettes, Alcohol, and Marijuana
Parental Involvement in Preventing Youth Substance Use
The Early Uses of Alcohol and Tobacco: Its Relation to Children’s Competence and Parents’ Behavior.
2008 Parents Attitude Tracking Study
Parenting Influences on the Development of Alcohol Abuse and Dependence,

HEATHER JOHNSON -- Information management specialist
Heather recommends these resources to learn more about the impact of the poor economy and ways to address challenges:
Merge Minnesota: Nonprofit merger as an opportunity for survival and growth Minnesota Council on Foundations 2009 Outlook Report
Focus on the Economic Crisis, Foundation Center
Resilient Organizations Fund