Technical Area
Research & Data Analytics
Project: Analysis of NeighborWorks America’s Network Members (Community Development Corporations and Community Development Financial Institutions)
​
Client: NeighborWorks America
​
Description: Analyzed NeighborWorks America’s Community Development Corporation (CDC), Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) Network members’, with up to $785M in assets, business model changes, opportunities, partnerships, and racial equity, diversity, and inclusion capacity building efforts. Analysis included review of members’ small business development, lending (mortgage and small business), workforce development, affordable housing, shared equity, climate resilience and adaptation, and social programming throughout the United States. Compiled key findings and informed existing data collection and previously used analysis strategies.
Project: Development of McElderry Park, Baltimore City Neighborhood Homeownership Plan
​
Client: Southeast Community Development Corporation (SECDC)
​
Description: A 50-year-old Community Development Corporation in Baltimore City that drives and facilitates investments and the engagement of community members in housing and infrastructure initiatives and provides social, educational, small business development, and workforce supports to residents. We were contracted to support a needs assessment designed to inform community members’ efforts to develop a neighborhood-based homeownership plan. Conducted qualitative interviews with residents and analyzed quantitative data collected via survey by community members to produce homeownership development plan for a Baltimore City neighborhood with a history of disinvestment and a subsequent low homeownership rate, particularly among its legacy residents. Drafted a report summarizing interview findings and provided an analysis of community-administered survey data. Facilitated session with neighborhood resident leaders to inform them of the findings and solicit feedback.
Project: Development of Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) Framework and Analysis of Small and Midsized City (SMC) Hub Program
Client: New Growth Innovation Network (NGIN)
​
Description: A national nonprofit tasked with advancing inclusive economies in cities and regions across the United States. Developed a monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) framework, analyzed program data, and produced MEL guidance and recommendations for national entity’s Small and Midsized City (SMC) Hub program, which shares knowledge, insights, and innovation in economic development among practitioners in the small business development, lending, workforce development, housing, and financial capability space across the country to drive inclusive economic development, advance equity, and reduce health disparities. Analyzed quantitative and qualitative data to assess existing participant base, needs, engagement, and impact; gaps in existing data collection and analysis; and identify next steps to advance the assessment of impact, learning processes, and program design.
Project: Exploration of Grantee Portfolio for Debt Reduction Initiatives
​
Client: Annie E. Casey Foundation
​
Description:Assessed the Foundation’s existing consumer debt reduction initiative via a scan that included key informant interviews and a literature review of common debt types and the use and impact of debt among young adults.
Project: Housing as a Pathway to Justice: Baltimore City and District of Columbia Landscape Assessment
​
Client: Enterprise Community Partners
​
Description: Conducted landscape assessments to assess the intersection between housing and the legal system reform in Baltimore, MD, and Washington, DC. Assessment included a mixed method quantitative and qualitative analysis to strengthen internal policies and advocacy efforts. Analysis was designed to deepen understanding of internal and external policies, best practices, existing service infrastructure, innovative programs and services, resources, and collaborative efforts in Baltimore, MD, and Washington, DC pertaining to closing gaps in housing needs among individuals with justice system contact. Services included literature reviews; listening sessions with legal system reform stakeholders, housing and service providers, individuals with lived experience, policy and legal experts, funders, and local government representatives; case studies; a report of internal housing practices; and development of comprehensive landscape assessment reports for each city.
Project: Montgomery County, MD Office of Food Systems Resilience - Grant Deployment & Program Service Supports
​
Client: Montgomery County Office of Food System Resilience (OFSR)
​
Description: Contracted to support the County’s new Office of Food System Resilience with grantmaking and impact analysis. Supported team with the development of a notice of funding opportunity for their largest grant deployment effort. Analyzed and summarized the Office’s data across programs and initiatives including school-based, food as medicine, community gardening, SNAP outreach, and food infrastructure and system development. County food investments also sought to ensure grantees sourced food from local and minority owned food businesses. Analyses were prepared to inform legislators, decisionmakers, partners, and the community at large of OFSR’s impact and ongoing efforts to ensure sufficient investments are made to address hunger among a culturally and economically diverse population and the resilience of the County’s food system in the face of climate change.
Project: Need and Impact Assessment of Benefit Access Programming for Youth with Disabilities Transitioning to Adulthood
​​
Client: The Arc Prince George’s County
​
Description: A 70+ year-old nonprofit tasked with advancing the well-being of individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities and their families. Provide research and evaluation services to engage with students with developmental and intellectual disabilities and families, through the Families Involved in Transition intervention, to understand their needs, access, and experiences securing federal benefits to support their well-being as they transition into adulthood. Services include interviews and focus groups with parents/caregivers, quantitative survey analysis and design, evaluation and learning framework development and planning, and presentation of research findings for advocacy of needed investments.
Project: Prevention Community Needs Assessment and Evaluation
Client: Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services
​
Description: Designing and implementing a preventive community intervention process and outcome evaluation for Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)- and Maryland Department Health Office of Population Health Improvement-funded youth substance use prevention grants that focus on substances including alcohol and prescription opioids. Services include designing and conducting a needs assessment to assess the local landscape and identify local to national trends related to adolescent substance use and mental health; evaluating the implementation and effectiveness of substance use interventions, policies, and prevention resources that include stigma-free social media campaigns, educational programming, advocacy training, and safe disposal events to change attitudes, access, and behaviors; engaging with the Montgomery County Prevention Alliance of providers, community members, and County leaders; reporting key findings and considerations to refine prevention strategies; and presenting findings to County prevention groups.
Project: Study on Member Selection for Montgomery County Citizen Commissions, Committees, and Boards
​
Client: Office of Legislative Oversight
​
Description: Contracted by the Montgomery County, MD Office of Legislative Oversight to design a study to assess the composition and practices of the County government’s advisory bodies and the perception of its members. Analyzed existing County data and developed surveys to assess the diversity, recruitment processes, cycling of members, and perceived effectiveness of engagement of members, and to develop recommendations to strengthen diversity among members. Approximately 600 members participated in the survey. Staff tasked with managing the bodies were also surveyed regarding their selection, training, and monitoring of member composition. Findings were compiled in a report that was presented to the County’s Council.
Project: Youth Out-of-School Time (OST) Program System Building
Client: Montgomery County Collaboration Council for Children, Youth and Families
​
Description: Designed and conducted an innovative, equity-grounded assessment to further understand the needs, access, and experiences of students and families who identify as Black, Brown, and with low incomes related to OST programming and other local resources to support their well-being. Partnered with youth and families to elevate their voices and priorities to engage and empower communities, increase equity and inclusion, reduce barriers to resource utilization, aid in strategic planning and decision-making, and inform program development. Services included conducting, analyzing, and summarizing community conversations (focus groups) and online surveys. Key findings and recommendations were presented to County OST systems building workgroup, public school system partners, and the Collaboration Council board of directors.