Leanne Jacobson, M.A. Email & Phone Number

California, United States

Home-Based

Evaluator and project manager who directs all phases of evaluation from the design, collection, analysis, reporting, presentation, and management of projects focusing on a variety of topics including youth, DEIB, climate assessment, nature-based, and STEM education. Experience with quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods evaluations for programs serving individuals, communities, and organizations. Facilitate data collection using multiple methods including observation. individual… Show more Evaluator and project manager who directs all phases of evaluation from the design, collection, analysis, reporting, presentation, and management of projects focusing on a variety of topics including youth, DEIB, climate assessment, nature-based, and STEM education. Experience with quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods evaluations for programs serving individuals, communities, and organizations. Facilitate data collection using multiple methods including observation. individual interviews, focus groups, and surveys. Skilled in both qualitative and quantitative data analysis, SPSS, NVivo and currently exploring ways that Artificial Intelligence can be used in future projects. Produces reports based on client needs which can vary from narrative to visual. Supports Communities of Practices and Organizations with logic models, identifying shared goals and measures to assess goals, training and support on data collection practices including data entry and facilitation of DEI individual, programmatic, and organizational awareness including suggestions for integrating DEI into strategic plans and implementation. Show less

Greater San Diego Area

Beginning in 2013, I have contracted with Biocom to evaluate the San Diego Festival of Science and Engineering. I manage all phases of the annual evaluation of the San Diego Festival of Science and Engineering. Working closely with the Festival Director, initial evaluations surveyed attendees' satisfaction and experiences at the Festival's EXPO day. In 2015, the scope of the evaluation was widened to assess EXPO day's impact on the local community as well as drill down on the reasons for… Show more Beginning in 2013, I have contracted with Biocom to evaluate the San Diego Festival of Science and Engineering. I manage all phases of the annual evaluation of the San Diego Festival of Science and Engineering. Working closely with the Festival Director, initial evaluations surveyed attendees' satisfaction and experiences at the Festival's EXPO day. In 2015, the scope of the evaluation was widened to assess EXPO day's impact on the local community as well as drill down on the reasons for attendance at the Festival. Also, in 2015 the San Diego Festival of Science and Engineering joined EvalFest, a community of practice that develops, tests and shares evaluation approaches for science festivals, initially funded by the National Science Foundation. Yearly, I work with the Festival Director to pinpoint data that is useful for the Festival team. Data that is no longer being used is removed from the upcoming evaluation. Additionally, I revise the evaluation plan based on current needs and plan for future reports and evaluations. Independently, I manage all phases of the evaluation including budgets, hiring, training, and supervising field researchers, qualitative and quantitative data collection, analysis and reporting findings.Between 2015-2019, in collaboration with the EvalFest team, the Festival Director and I designed the evaluation survey and data collection using QuickTap.Currently, I am researching and designing a new evaluation for the 2020 San Diego Festival of Science and Engineering. Show less

Irvine, California, United States

Support the design and implementation of a formative program evaluation for the Help@Hand Program – a statewide collaborative innovation project to bring technology-based mental health solutions to the public mental health system in order to improve efficiency, impact, and reach. Work closely with UCI Investigators and Team, statewide project management staff, County leads, clinicians, Peers, clients, and vendors. Participate in multiple project meetings, communicate progress.

Home-Based

Contracted to assist with 2 program evaluations measuring the impact of STEM programs serving adolescents. One program was designed to increase adolescent awareness, understanding, and interest in STEM careers. The second program assessed adolescent moral development in a STEM setting as well as examine teamwork and empathy. For each project, tasks include data cleaning, creating databases and analyzing qualitative and quantitative data using Excel and SPSS. One project required matching… Show more Contracted to assist with 2 program evaluations measuring the impact of STEM programs serving adolescents. One program was designed to increase adolescent awareness, understanding, and interest in STEM careers. The second program assessed adolescent moral development in a STEM setting as well as examine teamwork and empathy. For each project, tasks include data cleaning, creating databases and analyzing qualitative and quantitative data using Excel and SPSS. One project required matching pre- and post-surveys. All findings were presented in both tables and charts using data visualization. Show less

Greater San Diego Area

Research Project Manager for the San Diego and Bay Area regions of a nationwide study of the perception of public science events. Identified public science events that met study criteria. Worked with event hosts and field researchers, as needed, to assure study procedures were followed prior, during and after collecting data at each event. Data was collected at 20 events from over 700 individuals and 20 scientists. Conducted data analysis and created a separate report for each event.

Orange County, California Area

Managed evaluation of programs supported by Families and Communities Together (FaCT), an Orange County collective impact initiative designed to prevent child abuse. Assessed initiatives’ 7 core services (comprehensive case management, counseling, domestic violence, personal empowerment program, information referral, family support services, parenting education, youth programs), offered at 12 Family Resource Centers. Findings presented in the annual report.Highlights include:• Identified… Show more Managed evaluation of programs supported by Families and Communities Together (FaCT), an Orange County collective impact initiative designed to prevent child abuse. Assessed initiatives’ 7 core services (comprehensive case management, counseling, domestic violence, personal empowerment program, information referral, family support services, parenting education, youth programs), offered at 12 Family Resource Centers. Findings presented in the annual report.Highlights include:• Identified and implemented valid measures to replace non-validated measures for assessment of all 7 core services.• Analyzed 20 years of archival documents; replicated assessment of initiative collaboration at the initial start of the collaborative (19 years prior). Presented findings at a 20-year celebration. • Responsible for quality review and oversight of the database.• Enhance end-users’ understanding of database systems by conducting pre-implementation workshops, delivering group and individual training sessions and creating user-friendly training materials. Show less

Home-Based

Provided data analysis assistance using SPSS Complex Samples.

Greater San Diego Area

Managed all phases of a needs assessment for youth programming. The assessment was designed by NOAA with additional questions specific to the San Diego region. Recruited 29 San Diego County school districts, gained IRB approval from each participating school district, managed data collection (439 teachers, 13 school districts; 102 teachers located across the U.S. border in Tijuana, Mexico). Conducted all analyses and presented findings in a written report.

Various Schools Located In Either Orange Or Riverside County, Ca

Classroom assessor for study of transitional kindergarten. Obtained interrater reliability on 5 instruments – CLASS, Snapshot, Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals, Woodcock-Johnson and preLAS. Observed pre-k classes.

Greater San Diego Area

Designed and managed all phases of 4 evaluations of SDCaN projects centered on programs designed to increase children’s interest, understanding and time in nature. Managed evaluation of 3 teacher professional development programs. Evaluation methods included observation, individual interviews and teacher surveys. Conducted data cleaning, data analysis and presented results in a final report. Independently managed all phases of a research project examining the impact of after-school… Show more Designed and managed all phases of 4 evaluations of SDCaN projects centered on programs designed to increase children’s interest, understanding and time in nature. Managed evaluation of 3 teacher professional development programs. Evaluation methods included observation, individual interviews and teacher surveys. Conducted data cleaning, data analysis and presented results in a final report. Independently managed all phases of a research project examining the impact of after-school programmatic decisions that inhibit or promote children’s time in nature. Tasks included interviewing parents, analyzing qualitative data and presenting findings in a written report. Results are also presented in the following article:Absher, James D.; Fege, Anne S.; Jacobson, Leanne. 2015. Institutional influences on the provision of after-school nature programs. Children, Youth and Environments. 25(1): 57-79. Show less

Greater San Diego Area

As the External evaluator for the Citizen Science Project, a high school curriculum focused on using nature to teach STEM, I conducted all phases of the evaluation. Implemented in an economically and racially diverse high school, the evaluation consisted of a student survey of open- and closed-ended questions. Teacher interviews were completed too. To complete the evaluation, data analysis and a written report summarizing findings were completed.

Home-Based

Managed pilot and research study of teachers’ perceptions of students’ achievement in Title 1 schools. Recruited 337 teachers from 12 Title 1 schools located throughout the U.S. including screening, gaining IRB approval (unique to each school district), survey distribution via email and assuring that at least 60% of school staff completed the survey. Conducted data analysis including factor analysis and logistic regression using SPSS. Presented findings in a written report.

Bellevue, Washington

Oversaw the evaluation of 2 FIPSE grants awarded to the Bellevue College Bookstore to pilot 2 projects - textbook rentals and technology rentals. For both evaluations, project participants were asked to complete a survey and participate in a focus group. Findings were used to perfect the project. Annually summarized evaluation findings included in the FIPSE report.

Greater San Diego Area

Local manager for the evaluation of a Department of Education (DOE) grant awarded to UCSD BioBridge and GRG. Tasked with hiring, training, scheduling and supervising 4 data collectors. Managed all data collection including observations of teacher trainings, classroom implementation, and teacher and student surveys. Established and nurtured a positive relationship with BioBridge staff, GRG coworkers, participating school districts – especially teachers.

Greater San Diego Area

Managed the evaluation of a Life Skills Curriculum implemented in high schools throughout San Diego. Students completed pre/post surveys. Using SPSS, analyzed responses to assess curriculum impact. Presented findings in a written report.

Greater San Diego Area

Evaluation of the San Diego YMCA Youth and Family Services Afterschool Program serving low-income students. Observed programs at 8 middle and elementary schools located throughout San Diego County. Conducted focus groups with a subset of students. Findings presented in a written report.

Greater San Diego Area

Managed the Project Younger Sibling Study, P.I. Dr. Patricia East. The longitudinal study examined the impact of a sister's teenage pregnancy on families and younger siblings. Assisted with the development of the parent and sibling survey instruments. Hired, trained and supervised two Survey Workers. Located, recruited and surveyed mothers and daughters in their homes. Created database and supervised data entry. Assisted with data analysis and reporting findings.

Greater Philadelphia Area

Greater Philadelphia Area

Gang Resistance Education and Training (G.R.E.A.T.), a violence prevention program Local research assistant for the G.R.E.A.T. study. Managed the data collection at 10 Philadelphia schools. The study began when students were in middle school. Followed students for 3 years, ending when students were in high school.

Greater Philadelphia Area

Research study on the lifelong impact of childhood abuse. Used multiple resources to locate adults who had reported cases of abuse during their childhood. Adults were invited to participate in the study. All participants participated in a 3-hour interview conducted by myself or one other Research Assistant.

Greater San Diego Area

Created, implemented and facilitated programs for youth in the Ocean Beach community of San Diego. Facilitated life skills classes in alternative schools, and the local elementary school. Initiated and built relationships with community organizations. Represented organization on the San Diego Unified School Board's Student Attendance Review Board (SARB).

Greater San Diego Area

As part of the management team at a shelter for homeless youth, I managed the volunteers who made up two-thirds of the staff. I recruited, trained and supervised volunteers at a shelter for homeless teens. On-call nights one week/month. With only $100 available for food each month, I assured that dinner donations occurred were shared each evening. Additionally, assured food was available for youth to have during the day.

Master Of Arts (M.A.), Developmental Psychology

Bachelor Of Arts (B.A.), Psychology

Bachelor'S Degree, Psychology

Bachelor'S Degree, Psychology

Bachelor'S Degree, Psychology

Bachelor'S Degree, Psychology