Research and Writing

Between 2006 and 2019, I did a LOT of research and writing. Here are some of my favorite projects:

2GEN/WHOLE FAMILY INITIATIVE EVALUATION; TENNESSEE – Evaluated Metro Action Commission’s 2Gen/Whole Family programming, including adult and child outcomes from Head Start/Early Head State and high-yield adult education programs such as CompTIA A+  and CDA trainings.

AMERICA FOR BULGARIA FOUNDATION EVALUATION OF THE TRUST FOR SOCIAL ACHIEVEMENT PROGRAM, BULGARIA – Performed a comprehensive evaluation of the Trust for Social Achievement that  included multiple interviews, surveys, and focus groups with the organization and its grantees to evaluate whether they have reached the program goals and whether their projects were contributing to the mission of America for Bulgaria Foundation.

BERKS COUNTY: DISCONNECTED YOUNG ADULT STUDY; PENNSYLVANIA – Conducted a research study that provided information about the demographics and needs of disconnected young adults, as well as the factors leading to their disconnected status. This project was used to help the workforce development board make strategic decisions about services to offer to the disconnected youth population.

CITY OF PORTSMOUTH POVERTY STUDY; VIRGINIA – Compiled data to describe the causes and conditions of poverty, facilitated public input about city responses to the issue of poverty, and composed a report laying out recommendations for the City Council and Poverty Task Force.

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH EARLY CHILDHOOD COMPREHENSIVE SYSTEMS EVALUATION; INDIANA – Evaluated Indiana’s Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems grant; including local and state initiatives to improve developmental screening rates amongst children ages 0-3 and improve collaboration amongst systems of care.

ENFOCUS PROGRAM EVALUATION; INDIANA – Evaluated impact and cost  benefit of a fellowship program to reduce brain-drain by keeping innovative college graduates in the community for a year following graduation from Notre Dame. 

HMO WIB WIF ROUND 2 EVALUATION, NEW YORK  – Conducted implementation process interviews and a cost allocation analysis for  a five-year, random assignment evaluation for the Herkimer, Madison, and Oneida Counties Workforce Investment Board’s (HMO WIB) USDOL Workforce Innovation Fund (WIF) Round 2 grant. The grant focused on connecting youth with high-growth careers by  increasing system integration across workforce, postsecondary education, and employers. 

INDIANAPOLIS PUBLIC LIBRARY RETURN ON INVESTMENT STUDY; INDIANA – Surveyed 7,352 residents about their use of the public library system and the value they attribute the services received, then modeled the dollar value of the library’s services compared to the tax-payer’s contribution to the system.

KIDS COUNT® IN INDIANA DATA BOOK; INDIANA – Authored the annual state Data Book, which equipped community leaders, policymakers, youth workers, educators, and child advocates with current information about the well-being of Indiana’s children and their families.

PENNSYLVANIA MOUNTAIN SERVICE CORPS (PMSC) EVALUATION CAPACITY BUILDING; PENNSYLVANIA – Prepared PMSC leadership and staff for more rigorous evaluation and data collection so that the program could demonstrate to CNCS their commitment to self-evaluation and eligibility for higher levels of funding.

SUNNY START INITIATIVE EVALUATION; INDIANA – Evaluated a statewide early health and education initiative using outcome mapping to incorporate data from multiple organizations and systems to show how each program contributed to the initiative’s overall state goals.

WAYNE METRO COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY  COMMUNITY NEEDS ASSESSMENT; MICHIGAN – Assessed community assets and gaps through surveys, focus groups and interviews with Wayne Metro Community Action Agency clients and partner agencies, then helped them strategically address challenges through its services.

YOUNGSTOWN OHIO LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES; OH – Evaluated an IMLS-funded project that was a joint effort between The Public Library of Youngstown & Mahoning County (PLYMC) and the OH WOW! Children’s Center for Science & Technology. The two spaces were seeking to promote and build STEM skills for children grades K-8 through maker spaces and foster “cross germination” between PLYMC and Oh Wow!