Contact: Susan Golonka

EXPERTISE

Duties: Directs NGA's policy analysis, research, and technical assistance efforts on welfare reform, low-income families, work supports service integration, and child welfare to help state policymakers and administrators develop and implement sound policies. Oversees technical assistance to states through on-site consultations, intensive ongoing technical assistance, customized workshops and policy academies. Manages the network of governors' Human Services Policy Advisors. Golonka is a nationally recognized expert on welfare reform and related human service issues.

CURRENT PROJECTS

Human services projects include a policy Academy and technical assistance to states on cross-systems innovations, publications and an institute on youth aging out of foster care, technical assistance on welfare reform, institutes on strengthening youth and children's cabinets and a policy academy on young adults with disabilities.

BACKGROUND

Previous Positions: Director, Human Services Legislation, National Governors Association; Program Associate, Family Impact Seminar; Legislative Assistant, New Jersey Governor Thomas Kean; Legislative Assistant, United States Senate

Education: M.P.A., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; B.A., University of Virginia

Professional Memberships: Member, Religion, Public Values and Public Policy Task Force, National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

Golanka, Susan, "The Wait is Over, the Work Begins: Implementing the New TANF Legislation" (NGA Center for Best Practics: June, 2006).

Golanka, Susan, "Waiting for Reauthorization: State Experiences in Welfare Reform since 2001" (NGA Center for Best Practices: August, 2005).

Golanka, Susan, et al., "Building Bridges to Self-Sufficiency: Improving Services for Low-Income Working Families" (NGA Center for Best Practices and MDRC: March, 2004).