Lauren Vargo Email & Phone Number

Boulder, Co, Us

Learning Partner, Transforming Health and Health Care Systems (2022 – Present). Provide grantee learning and evaluation support for the Transforming Health and Health Care Systems projects - a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation program. Collect data from project partners, facilitate "Theory of Change" development, and produce evaluation reports, while centering a culturally responsive and equitable evaluation approach.Evaluator, Achieving Behavioral Health Equity (2022 - Present). - Collect and analyze qualitative data to develop the NNEDLearn 2022 report. - Qualitative analysis and evaluation activities for multiple ongoing tasks that support learning and strategic direction for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).Evaluator, Colorado Equity Compass (CEC) (2022- Present). Facilitate focus groups to understand CEC website utilization and analyze data and create an annual one-pager.Evaluator and Data Manager, Healthy Food for Denver’s Kids (HFDK) (2022 – 2024). Support evaluation for HFDK, an initiative allocating $12M annually to 49 grantees. Facilitate youth focus groups, key informant interviews, community listening sessions, and bi-annual grantee activity survey data collection. Provide technical assistance to grantees, collaborate with government partners, present evaluation findings bi-annually, and publish an annual impact report. Evaluator and Strategic Planning Partner, Wisconsin System of Care (2022 – 2023). Lead evaluation and data collection activities to inform the strategic planning for Wisconsin's System of Care (SoC). Conduct "Sharing Circles" (focus groups) with youth, young adults, parents/caretakers, and tribal communities. Administer ThoughtExchange, an interactive survey platform, among regional behavioral health directors. Analyze and interpret data to guide strategic and event planning. Present findings, in partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Health, at the statewide Summit in April 2023.

Louisville, Colorado, United States

Columbus, Ohio, United States

Managed Ohio Produce Perks Statewide Evaluation - a 4-year, $4.3M, statewide nutrition incentive program at 100+ grocery stores and farmers' markets in 35 counties in Ohio. Balanced simultaneous evaluation project activities: design and execute evaluation plans, qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis, maintain budget and timelines, and collaborate with program partners. Disseminated evaluation findings to local, regional, and national audiences: collaborate to complete manuscripts and a SNAP incentive toolkit for grocery stores; create quarterly program data briefs; and present regularly on evaluation and program operations. Extensive experience providing TA support to farmers’ market managers for FM Tracks, a web-based, data tracking platform for federal nutrition assistance programs and market sales, worked with software developers for FM Tracks to enhance the site based on user feedback. Led the prototype development for FM Tracks Engage, an iOS application that could be used by farmers’ market customers and managers to make shopping at farmers’ markets more accessible. Supported policy advocacy with Produce Perks Midwest and successfully included Ohio’s nutrition incentive program, Produce Perks, in Ohio’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program budget in 2019.

Facilitated successful implementation of the FreshLink Ambassador Intervention by facilitated Ambassador trainings, organized outreach events, and oversaw all activities of four Community Ambassadors in neighborhoods across Cleveland, Ohio. Organized and implemented program training materials, conducted evaluation on the effectiveness of Ambassador outreach, reported findings to partners, and managed budgets and resources. Cultivated a safe environment and transformed conflicts through a collaborative approach. Post-intervention activities included developing and designing a Community Ambassador toolkit and presentations on lessons learned.

Columbus, Ohio, United States

Cleveland, Ohio

Cleveland, Ohio

Managed Northeast Ohio’s SNAP nutrition incentive program daily operations, resources, and reimbursements. Interacted directly with grantees (farmers’ market managers) and utilized data from 50+ farmers' markets to contribute to programmatic understanding to present back to partners and grantees. Distributed over 40k marketing materials annually to community & program stakeholders including community centers, schools, faith-based organizations, food backs, and related events.

Cleveland, Ohio

"Double Value Produce Perks" initiative developed by The Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Food Policy Coalition to incentivize Ohio EBT recipients to participate in farmers markets.

Cleveland, Ohio

Extensive customer service experience;Works well in a fast pace environment;Passionate about healthy eating and living - Townhall is a completely GMO free restaurant

Athens, Oh

Donation station at local farmers market, food education classes, purchasing food from local farmers for donations to Athens county residents in need.

Athens, Oh

Food education classes for children ages 5-14 with a focus on local food sources

Master’S Degree, City/Urban, Community And Regional Planning

Speciality in Environmental Sustainability

Bachelor’S Of Science, Geography

Minor in Environmental Health and Environmental Certificate

The City And Environment Study Abroad Program