About
MDRC was founded in 1974 on the notion that high-quality research and evidence CAN play a vital role in reducing poverty and inequity in the united states. We hold true to that vision today. A nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, MDRC conducts rigorous studies of programs and policies that affect people with low incomes, actively disseminates the lessons to policymakers and practitioners, and works directly with programs and agencies to help improve their effectiveness. Our diverse, interdisciplinary staff of researchers and former educators and program operatorssupported by experts in finance, law, technology, human resources, and communicationswork in communities across the country, in a wide range of domains, including PRE-k to postsecondary education, criminal justice, housing, and job training. Underlying ALL our work is a DEEP respect for the knowledge of on-the-ground program staff and individuals directly affected by the programs and policies we study. Over the years, MDRC has brought its unique approach to an ever-growing range of policy areas and centers and target populations, as described below. Once known primarily for evaluations of state welfare-to-work programs, today MDRC is also studying public school reforms, employment programs for EX-offenders and people with disabilities, and programs to help low-income students succeed in college. MDRC's projects are organized into eight research areas: -family well-being and child development -youth development, criminal justice, and employment -k-12 education -postsecondary education -economic mobility, housing, and communities -information, dissemination, program development, methodology and strategic initiatives -center for data insights -center for applied behavioral science (CABS) what we believe - rigorous, nonpartisan research, active dissemination of what we learn, and hands-on technical assistance CAN promote more effective public policies and programs, improve the lives of families with low incomes, and address stubborn inequities in our society. - our research independence is essential to our ability to achieve our mission. We value input from funders and other key stakeholders, but, ultimately, we MUST be ABLE to release and disseminate what we learn, free from political considerations. - research, dissemination, and technical assistance are most effective when they are shaped by the wisdom of the staff who administer public systems and programs and of the individuals who experience them. - our work is stronger when our staff represent diverse backgrounds and perspectives, our management practices are inclusive, and our organizational culture promotes growth, learning, and innovation. Services we provide at MDRC, we collaborate with public agencies, educational institutions, nonprofits, and other organizations that are dedicated to improving the lives of individuals, families, and communities. - conduct research and evaluations: we do research to define policy problems, understand programs and systems and the inequities they produce, and identify promising interventions. We also run independent, rigorous evaluations to assess the impact and implementation of programs and policies. - create and test new interventions: we work with other organizations to design new interventions and test them in the real world. - improve programs and processes: we help organizations improve their programs and practices, scale effective interventions, and build their capacities for data management and analysis. - promote the use of evidence in policymaking: we share evidence-backed and practical lessons for improving programs and policies with policymakers and other key decisionmakers. - design innovative methods, approaches, and tools: we create new methodologies and tools for evaluation and data analysis, generate approaches to advancing equity in research and technical assistance, and produce public use data files from our projects for other researchers to use. Achievements in 2022 MDRC had a successful year in 2022-welcoming many talented new staff as well as new board members and a new board chair, launching new projects, providing technical assistance to help program administrators improve their service delivery, and developing and releasing new findings to inform the decisions of policymakers and program providers. Some of the highlights from 2022 include: long-time board member bridget terry long succeeded MARY JO BANE as chair of the MDRC board of directors. Former u.s. Education secretary JOHN king rejoined the board, and naomi goldstein, susan gooden, and melissa kearney became board members. JOHN martinez was named MDRC VICE president. Martinez also assumed the presidency of the association for public policy analysis and management and served as chair of the planning committee for appam's annual conference, "the power of inclusion: incorporating diverse voices in public policy analysis and management." the evidence and equity collaborative, of which MDRC is one of nine founding members, launched a public website. The organizations in the evidence and equity collaborative are working to support diversity in their workplaces, strengthen inclusive practices in programs and policy research, and build a foundation for equitable analysis ready to inform systems, policies, and programs across the nation.
In care of Jesus Amadeo
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