Jennifer Mortensen Email & Phone Number

Dallas, Texas, Us

Define and manage evaluation of grant programs to understand impact of AHA awards on grantees, the field, and return on investment; Contribute to RFPs for strategic award programs; Manage Research Information Team, volunteer subcommittee, and consultant work

Keller, Texas, Us

Promoted a data-driven culture across the organization and built capacity to use data in decision-making; Developed and executed program evaluation and outcomes measurement; Defined and tracked organizational success metrics

Chicago, Il, Us

YMCA of the USA supports research and evaluation in three major areas: Individuals and Families, Community, and Operations. This structure allows Y-USA to provide Ys with the science and measurement necessary to strengthen their communities through these Pathways. Example projects that fall within this portfolio include: Year Round Food Program, New American Welcome Centers, LGBTQ+ Inclusion and Equity work, Community Needs Assessments, Economic/Social Impact tools. Responsibilities: • Develop, execute, and oversee a research, learning, and evaluation solutions portfolio for the Community Research practice area• Direct efforts to produce and communicate tools, reports, products, services and learnings to demonstrate impact and drive continuous improvement• Analyze data and summarize learnings to demonstrate impact and inform continuous improvement• Manage external consultants• Manage research team supporting various projects

Chicago, Il, Us

YMCA of the USA developed a National Research and Learning Agenda to guide research and organizational priorities for the YMCA Network. To support this Agenda, Y-USA contracted with external research firms to develop a System of Strengthening Community (theory of change) that includes 'Pathways' to describe how Ys work to strengthen their communities through work with Youth and Adults, through Operations, and within the Community. Responsibilities:• Manage external consultants, including meetings, timelines, access to internal data, and deliverables• Connect consultant work with internal Strategic Plan teams to ensure organizational alignment• Develop measurement strategies for Youth, Adult, and Community Pathways• Engage Y-USA and local YMCA staff to gather feedback on Pathways and definition of 'strong community'

Chicago, Il, Us

The Early Childhood Equity Improvement Project is supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Y-USA is working with eight YMCAs to learn about the early childhood programs across the YMCA network, understand state policies related to early childhood programs, and identify strategies for reducing barriers to equitable access to high quality early childhood programs and services in YMCAs and communities across the country. Responsibilities: • Develop a mixed-methods research initiative to learn about the early childhood programs across the YMCA network• Conduct a scan of the YMCA early childhood landscape across the nation• Develop an Early Childhood Organizational Equity Assessment for early childhood programs to self-assess practices and policies related to promoting access • Work with policy consultants to conduct a scan of state policies affecting early childhood programs • Document the potential for adoption, scalability, and effectiveness of promising organizational practices to promote equity identified by YMCAs engaged in a pilot study• Manage grant budget and supervise Evaluation Coordinator

Chicago, Il, Us

The goal of YMCA of the USA’s (Y-USA) Achievement Gap Initiative is to substantially increase the Y Movement’s capacity to support the school readiness and success of low-income children and youth. I currently work as the Evaluation Specialist for the ELR and SLLP programs.The Y’s Early Learning Readiness Program (ELR) for Informal Family, Friend and Neighbor Caregivers (FFN) is designed to enhance the learning experiences of children from birth to age five being cared for in informal child care settings (as opposed to a formal preschool setting) and build the capacity of these caregivers to act as their child’s first teacher. Programs are strategically located in neighborhoods with low school achievement, high levels of poverty, or newcomer populations. The program provides a stimulating, preschool-like experience through learning centers that foster development and improve school readiness, while supporting and developing the skills and knowledge of their caregivers.The Summer Learning Loss Prevention (SLLP) Program is designed to support the literacy and academic progress of disadvantaged children over the summer and to mitigate summer learning loss. It is a six-week, full-day program for low-income children who will be entering first or second grade the following fall. The morning is devoted to intensive literacy instruction using Wake Forest University’s Four Blocks Literacy curriculum, followed by a variety of enrichment activities such as art and music lessons, science education, and character development in the afternoon.Responsibilities: • Design, enhance, and implement data collection and evaluation strategies for Achievement Gap programs• Train YMCA staff across the US in evaluation strategies and data collection processes• Manage and analyze data for ELR and SLLP programs• Write end of year reports for Achievement Gap programs

East Lansing, Mi, Us

The goal of this project is to train staff at CADCA on how to incorporate Photovoice into their work and build the organization’s capacity to support Photovoice projects. Our team will also work with CADCA’s staff to train youth engaged in the Washington DC NYLI program on the Photovoice process, and support their work through the completion of a public Photovoice exhibit. Responsibilities: • Develop Photovoice training content• Train CADCA staff in Photovoice• Create evaluation for NYLI sessions • Coordinate processes with CADCA staff• Oversee and coordinate undergraduate assistants

East Lansing, Mi, Us

This project is evaluating the W.K. Kellogg Foundation’s current grant portfolio in Battle Creek. We are analyzing the portfolio and engaging grantees to further understand their grant efforts. From these activities, we will provide recommendations to WKKF as well as training and technical assistance to grantees to help the local work more closely align with the foundation’s goals.Responsibilities: • Co-developed strategic planning documents, evaluation frameworks, and training curriculum • Collected and analyzed qualitative data • Oversaw and coordinated undergraduate assistants

East Lansing, Mi, Us

This project used Photovoice as a participatory action research method to engage youth involved in a leadership development training program to raise critical consciousness and spur action in local communities. Responsibilities: • Co-developed online Photovoice process • Facilitated online blog conversations, and in-person Photovoice training • Collected and analyzed qualitative data (Photovoice narratives and focus groups)• Collected, managed, and analyzed quantitative survey data • Oversaw and coordinated undergraduate assistants

East Lansing, Mi, Us

East Lansing, Mi, Us

This evaluation focused on understanding the current state of Michigan’s early childhood system and developing strategies for improvement.Responsibilities: • Conducted interviews• Assisted in qualitative data analysis• Developed logic models and surveys• Managed quantitative survey data collection

East Lansing, Mi, Us

The Yes We Can! Project was based in Battle Creek, MI and emphasized resident participation in improving economic and educational outcomes.Responsibilities:• Managed data organization and analysis• Assisted in resident engagement meetings

East Lansing, Mi, Us

Lansing, Michigan, Us

A group of Great Start Collaborative Directors and Great Start Parent Coalition Parent Liaisons engaged in a Learning Community to help build strong parent leadership and voice across the state of Michigan. Responsibilities:• Facilitated development of a Logic Model• Developed meeting evaluation form• Interviewed Learning Community members • Analyzed data and wrote mid-year report

Detroit, Michigan, Us

Collaborative partnership developing a grant proposal for future work on School-Based Health Centers in Detroit.Responsibilities:• Analyzed qualitative data • Prepared report• Prepared conference presentation materials

Chicago, Il, Us

This grant specifically focused on ex-offenders as they left residential treatment and entered one of three test conditions.Responsibilities:• Managed grant budget• Assisted in grant preparation (literature review, editing, etc.)• Worked on independent project related to Oxford House sustainability

Chicago, Il, Us

The primary purpose of this project was to reduce the stigma attached to the present name, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Responsibilities: • Aided in creation of a patient and practitioner name attitude survey inquiring about the perceptions of names associated with ME/CFS• Created on-line version of name change survey

Ph.D., Ecological-Community Psychology

M.A., Ecological-Community Psychology

B.S., Psychology, Spanish