Iowa State officials have made a proposal to the state Board of Regents to establish a new Center for Family Policy.

The proposal was referred to the Regents’ Interinstitutional Committee on Educational Coordination and the Board Office for review and recommendation.

The main focus of the proposed center will be national and state issues that concern individuals and their families and communities. The center is aimed at targeting people whose quality of life is constrained by economic, social or developmental circumstances.

“The Center on Family Policy will provide a campus organization through which we can conduct valuable research and outreach activities to further address public policy issues that affect the well-being of Iowa families and the communities in which they live,” said Maurice MacDonald, professor and chair of the human development and family studies department, in a press release.

The center will be a part of the College of Family and Consumer Sciences and will pursue collaborative research projects with faculty from other educational facilities, representatives from business and industry, and government officials.

The efforts of the center will concentrate on welfare reform, foster care, Medicaid coverage, disabilities, substance abuse, retirement income security, homelessness and community development.

The staff at the center will also help state and federal government agencies serve individuals and families.