Research and Innovation

The Research and Innovation department enhances understanding of what it takes to reach economic self-sufficiency, and uses that knowledge to inform program design and advocacy/public policy efforts.

Research and Innovation (R&I) accomplishes its goals by:

• Conducting literature reviews and researching national trends and policies
• Conducting needs assessments of our internal clients
• Involving clients and staff in the research design process
• Determining best practices for program and policy efforts
• Evaluating existing programs and services
• Analyzing labor market data, trends, and projections
• Writing research reports to disseminate findings

A three-pronged approach differentiates R&I from similar policy and research centers. First, R&I focuses on the client "voice" as a vehicle to create innovative products and public policy recommendations. Second, R&I capitalizes on interdisciplinary research—including cultural anthropology, psychology, sociology, business, education, and health—to inform its approach and recommendations. Third, R&I leverages its talent in organizational development to foster a collaborative evaluation environment and to nurture inquiry and "intrapreneurship" across the organization.

The Research and Innovation (R&I) department was launched in 2002 to complement our direct service and policy programs. The purpose of Research and Innovation is to enhance understanding of what it takes to reach economic self-sufficiency, and to use that knowledge to inform program design and advocacy efforts.

Research & Innovation accomplishments and highlights:

• The 2009 release of The “Cliff Effect” Experience: Voices of Women on the Path to Economic Independence.
• 2008 Editorial: “Investing in Higher Education.” In Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, Communities and Banking, volume 19, no. 3.
• 2008 Testimony before the Massachusetts Asset Development Commission: Regarding the Loss of Government Assistance for Low-Wage Earners.
• 2007 Report: Unlocking the Doors to Higher Education and Training for Massachusetts'Working Poor Families.
• Key participation in the Program Design and Evaluation Design of CWU's pilot program, Career Family Opportunity.
• The 2007 release of Hot Jobs, Good Wages: How to Live, Work and Thrive in Massachusetts.
• The 2005 release of Achieving Success in the New Economy: Which Jobs Help Women Reach Economic Self Sufficiency, which identified 25 "hot jobs" that are in high demand, pay self-sufficient wages, and require less than two years of education.
• Designing a state-of-the-art technology training center, which opened in early 2005 and offers computer skills training in an environment tailored to the unique needs of women learners.
• Implementing and refining an outcomes measurement protocol for all Crittenton Women's Union programs

Currently, R&I is engaged in the following projects:

• Updating our "Hot Jobs" research using the latest information about wages, education, and employment prospects
• Updating the Family Economic Self-Sufficiency Tool
• Evaluating existing programs and services, including overseeing an extensive evaluation of our pilot program, Career Family Opportunity
• Developing a CWU Mobility Institute designed to promote economic independence for residents in our housing programs and a corollary study of shelter as a platform for client engagement in long term economic mobility.
• Researching best practices for new program and policy efforts
• Conducting needs assessments of our internal clients

Contact for more information:
Deborah Connolly Youngblood, Ph.D.
Vice President of Research and Innovation
617.259.2970
dyoungblood@liveworkthrive.org