Heidi Neel directs the Institute’s Social Security education project. As such, she manages grassroots education efforts in several states. She also oversees the Institute's comprehensive message testing research. In addition, she has testified before state committees and met with elected officials to help implement public assistance programs. Ms. Neel has also written model state legislation for the implementation of the Workforce Investment Act.
Prior to joining the Institute Ms. Neel practiced law. She is known for her efforts facilitating the drafting and subsequent passage of Oregon’s “Best Interest of the Child Bill,” which prevents children from languishing in foster care. This law has since been used as a national model.
Ms. Neel earned a B.S. in Communications from Northwestern University and a J.D. from Willamette University College of Law. Her education included comparative legal studies in Shanghai, China. Ms. Neel has served as Board President of the of the Klamath-Lake C.A.R.E.S. program, a medically based child abuse assessment center.
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