Mathematica Policy Research

Research Yields Morgenstern Papers

Communications — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 13:39:38 GMT

A project on Mathematica’s history recently yielded a cache of personal papers, professional files, and correspondence by celebrated economist and mathematician Oskar Morgenstern, a founder of the company. The files will join an existing collection of his papers which are part of the Economists’ Papers Project, housed in the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library at Duke University.

New Senior Leadership and Management Roles

Communications — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 13:43:21 GMT

Mathematica is proud to announce recent changes and additions to our senior management team. Barbara Devaney has been named chief operating officer and executive vice president. Deborah "Debbie" Reed has been named senior vice president and director of Human Services Research. Mary Moore is senior vice president, director of professional and organizational development.

Stagner Joins as Senior Fellow, Director of Chicago Human Services

Communications — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 13:44:17 GMT

Matthew Stagner recently joined Mathematica as a senior fellow and director of Human Services Research in Chicago. Stagner is a nationally known expert in youth development and risk behaviors, child welfare, evaluation design and methods, and the role of research in policymaking. Read the release.

Become a Mathematica Summer Fellow

Communications — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 15:05:43 GMT

Since 1992, Mathematica's summer fellowship program has helped to promote careers in social policy research, particularly for scholars who might otherwise be drawn to government or academe. The program, open to qualified students enrolled in a M.A. or Ph.D. programs in public policy or a social science, supports independent, self-directed research on economic or social problems that affect minority groups and individuals with disabilities. Our fellowships run from approximately June 1 to August 31 with opportunities in all of our offices. Apply now.

Mathematica Research in Review

Communications — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 08:27:24 GMT

In a year marked by dynamic fiscal and policy landscapes, Mathematica's rigorous, objective research helped inform policy and program decisions in disability, early childhood, education, employment, family support, health care, international, and nutrition. Our 2012 Research In Review infographic offers a succinct, digitally accessible visual overview of some of our most notable studies and analyses from the year.

Measures Research Contributes to Health Care Quality/Affordability

Communications — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 08:28:18 GMT

Meaningful and usable performance and quality measures are essential tools to improve quality and affordability in our health care system. New studies expand our work in developing comprehensive hospital and provider quality measures, assisting with measures implementation, and evaluating their effectiveness. Projects include assisting in the development of hospital readmission measures for children; providing feedback on clinical performance and costs to physicians and practices; and identifying innovative health information technology, process, and data management solutions. Mathematica's health experts will use the highest quality data, evidence, and methodologies to assist physicians, hospitals, and other health care providers improve health care quality.

Briefel Named to Nutrition Guidelines for Infants and Toddlers Group

Communications — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 10:01:31 GMT

Senior fellow Ronette Briefel was recently appointed to a Dietary Guidelines for Americans working group on "The B-24 Project," which is evaluating the evidence base to support inclusion of infants and children younger than 2 in the Guidelines. Briefel was recognized for her experience and expertise in population-based nutrition surveillance and analysis of infants' and young children's diets. She also serves on the Workshop Planning Committee for the project.

Gill and Chaplin Author Op-Ed on Teacher Evaluation

Communications — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 08:48:40 GMT

A Pittsburgh Post-Gazette op-ed on teacher evaluations, authored by senior fellow Brian Gill and senior researcher Duncan Chaplin, recommends using test scores as part of an overall teacher evaluation strategy that uses locally developed curriculum-based assessments and accounts for teacher performance over the course of several years.

Fox Named To Nutrition Guidelines for Infants and Toddlers Group

Communications — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 11:23:11 GMT

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA), the legislatively mandated federal guidance on healthy eating, has traditionally focused on Americans ages 2 and older. However, research shows that a healthy diet from birth to 24 months of age is linked to healthy growth and development. Senior fellow Mary Kay Fox was recently named to participate in a working group on "The B-24 Project," which aims to evaluate the evidence base to support inclusion of infants and children younger than 2 in the Guidelines. Fox was recognized for her experience and expertise in population-based nutritional surveillance and analysis of young children's diets. In addition, Fox was recently appointed to the Institute of Medicine's Committee on the Consequences of Sodium Reduction in Populations.

Mathematica Names Jill Constantine and Christopher Trenholm Vice Presidents

Communications — Fri, 10 Aug 2012 10:19:26 GMT

Mathematica's Jill Constantine and Christopher Trenholm were recently named vice presidents and appointed to the company's senior management team. Based in Mathematica's headquarters in New Jersey, Constantine and Trenholm will serve as directors of human services and health research, respectively, in that office.

Mathematica Names New Senior Fellows

Communications — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 10:29:13 GMT

In recognition of expertise and leadership in their fields, Kimberly Boller and Deborah N. Peikes have been named Mathematica senior fellows. Boller is an expert in early childhood development, including measures and quality rating systems, home visitation programs, training and technical assistance, and Head Start and Early Head Start. Peikes is a thought leader on medical homes and care coordination for people with chronic illnesses.

Boller Co-Editor of Early Childhood Research Quarterly Issue

Communications — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 15:25:55 GMT

Senior fellow and early childhood expert Kimberly Boller is co-editing a special issue of Early Childhood Research Quarterly on early care and education Quality Rating and Improvement Systems (QRISs) as change agents. Deadline for manuscript submission is November 1, 2012, with a projected deadline for receipt of final drafts by June 1, 2013, for publication later that year. Submission guidelines and more information.

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Names Cash and Counseling Force Multiplier

Communications — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 15:24:11 GMT

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation recognized Mathematica's evaluation of the Medicaid Cash and Counseling demonstration as a Force Multiplier. Mathematica partnered with funders, state program directors, and journal editors to complete and disseminate high impact research on this innovative approach to providing home-based personal assistance to Medicaid beneficiaries who are frail or have disabilities. The evaluation, which won the 2009 AcademyHealth Impact Award, altered policymakers' thinking about consumer-directed care, leading the federal government to pass legislation encouraging it, and states to incorporate it into their Medicaid programs.

Three Studies Featured in Health Affairs

communications — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 14:56:34 GMT

People with chronic illnesses or disabilities tend to be among the highest-need beneficiaries of Medicare and Medicaid, accounting for a disproportionate amount of spending across both programs. Three studies on this topic, led by researchers at Mathematica, are featured in the June 2012 issue of Health Affairs, as the journal addresses payment and care models for treating elderly and disabled people.

High-Performing Teachers in Low-Achieving Schools

Communications — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 11:10:40 GMT

By offering $20,000 per teacher, seven school districts piloting a transfer-incentive strategy, known as the Talent Transfer Initiative (TTI), filled 90 percent of their targeted vacancies in hard-to-staff schools with some of the districts' highest-performing teachers. A new study highlights the implementation experience and intermediate impacts of TTI, which is intended to expand disadvantaged students' access to the most effective teachers.

Mathematica Seeking a Request for Proposal Administrator

Communications — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 14:37:50 GMT

Mathematica is seeking a request for proposal administrator to plan and organize request for proposal activities. Visit our employment page for a full list of opportunities.

Mathematica Seeking Multimedia Specialist

Communications — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 11:28:28 GMT

Mathematica is seeking a multimedia specialist to produce video and multimedia products and deploy internal and external event webcasts.

Mathematica Seeking Entry-Level Statistical Analyst

Communications — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 12:09:15 GMT

Mathematica is seeking an entry-level statistical analyst in the DC Statistical Services Department to support survey sampling and statistical analysis. This position involves providing programming, research, and project management support to projects

New Role for Senior Vice President Craig Thornton

Communications — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 11:53:41 GMT

Craig Thornton, senior vice president and director of Mathematica's Health Research Division, has been named chief strategy officer to guide and facilitate strategic planning, development, and monitoring. Thornton, who joined the firm in 1977, has led the organization's health research in a rapidly changing and dynamic health policy environment. He has also been responsible for establishing and leading Mathematica's disability work.

Mathematica's Ronette Briefel To Advise National Collaborative On Childhood Obesity Research

Communications — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 11:57:12 GMT

Senior fellow Ronette Briefel has been tapped to serve as one of five experts on an external scientific panel for the National Collaborative on Childhood Obesity Research (NCCOR). The collaborative, which seeks to reduce childhood obesity in the United States, is a public/private partnership of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Briefel has a national reputation for her expertise in childhood obesity and chronic disease epidemiology.

Program Analyst Position

Communications — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:32:59 GMT

Mathematica is seeking a program analyst with one or two years of experience with Medicare and/or Medicaid quality measures or electronic health record technology to work on one of our largest Data Quality Consulting Group's projects assisting the federal government with the collection of clinical quality measures for eligible professional incentives.

Mathematica Seeking Disability Benefits Analyst

Communications — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 10:19:08 GMT

Mathematica is seeking a disability benefits analyst with significant experience in SSDI and SSI claims processing or benefits counseling. Visit our employment page for a full list of job opportunities.

Paul Decker Named President-Elect of APPAM

Communications — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 10:16:40 GMT

Paul Decker, Mathematica's president and chief executive officer, has been named president-elect of the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management (APPAM). Decker has been a longtime participant in many of APPAM's activities, often taking a leadership role. For more than two decades, he has presented at the annual APPAM fall research conference. He has also contributed to the organization's Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, served as Mathematica's institutional representative to APPAM, and for the past four years he has been a Policy Council member. Decker is also chair of the David N. Kershaw Award Selection Committee, an award in honor of Mathematica's first president, who died of cancer in 1979 at age 37. The award is presented every two years at the APPAM fall research conference.

Become a Mathematica Summer Fellow

Communications — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 10:18:03 GMT

Since 1992, Mathematica's summer fellowship program has helped promote careers in social policy research, particularly for scholars who might otherwise be drawn to government or academe. The program, open to qualified students enrolled in a master's or Ph.D. program in public policy or a social science, supports independent, self-directed research on economic or social problems that affect minority groups and individuals with disabilities. Our summer fellowships run from approximately June 1 to August 31 with opportunities in all of our offices.

Mathematica Launches New Research on Health Care Quality Measures

Communications — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 13:43:45 GMT

In new projects spanning behavioral health, ehealth, and physician performance, Mathematica's health experts are creating quality measures that give policymakers, practitioners, and patients the information they need to make informed and effective medical decisions and help address changes called for in health care reform. Two projects are helping develop new quality benchmarks in ehealth technology. We are also collaborating with the National Committee for Quality Assurance on two projects that are helping define quality measures for behavioral health.

New Mathematica Projects Strengthen Focus on Fatherhood and Family Support Programs

Communications — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 13:46:09 GMT

To help ensure that family policy is supported by evidence, Mathematica is building on work in healthy marriage and responsible fatherhood interventions, family support, and teen pregnancy prevention with several new studies. Our family support experts are evaluating programs aimed at strengthening fatherhood and families and preventing teen pregnancy. These studies will provide objective analysis of the programs and assess their effectiveness in giving low-income couples and teens the tools they need to nurture and sustain healthy relationships that benefit themselves, their families, and the greater community.

Mathematica Is on the Move

Communications — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 13:29:43 GMT

On November 28, 2011, Mathematica's Washington, DC, office will relocate to the NoMa neighborhood about three miles northeast of our current location. Our new home, which is easily accessible by public transportation, provides the space we need for our growing staff to better meet the needs of our clients. Our new address is Mathematica Policy Research, 1100 First Street, NE, 12th floor, Washington, DC 20002-4221.

Colman Wins APPAM Award for Research

Communications — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 14:11:56 GMT

Researcher Silvie Colman received the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management's 2011 Raymond Vernon Memorial Prize for the best research article published in the Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, "Regulating Abortion: Impact on Patients and Providers in Texas," co-authored with Ted Joyce. The award was presented at this year's fall conference.

Hargreaves Recognized by AEA

Communications — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 14:10:57 GMT

Margaret Hargreaves, senior researcher, will be honored with the 2011 Marcia Guttentag Promising New Evaluator Award at this year's annual meeting of the American Evaluation Association in Anaheim, California. The award recognizes contributions to the field.

Judith Wooldridge Retires After More than 40 Years

Communications — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 15:28:22 GMT

Judith Wooldridge, senior vice president and director of strategy and development, retired on September 30, after more than 40 years with Mathematica. During her long career, Wooldridge published in many peer-reviewed journals, briefed Congress, made countless presentations to both public and private agencies, and served several terms on the company's board of directors.

Disability News Alerts Available

Communications — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 08:27:19 GMT

Follow breaking disability news every week on the Center for Studying Disability Policy website. You can sign up through Mathematica's RSS disability feed to be notified as soon as alerts are posted.

Esther Duflo Receives 2011 Kershaw Award

Communications — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 13:48:25 GMT

President Paul Decker will present Esther Duflo, professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, with the 2011 David N. Kershaw Award from the Association for Public Policy Analysis & Management at its fall conference in Washington, DC. The award recognizes individuals under the age of 40 who have made distinguished contributions to the field of public policy analysis and is named in honor of Mathematica's first president who died of cancer in 1979 at the age of 37.

Perez-Johnson Discusses Employment Accounts on NPR

Communications — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 13:38:17 GMT

Senior researcher Irma Perez-Johnson discusses personal reemployment accounts on NPR's Here & Now program.

Disability Brief Named Kaiser Health Policy Pick

Communications — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 13:40:59 GMT

Mathematica's issue brief on government expenditures for working-age people with disabilities was named a Kaiser September Health Policy Pick.

Health Affairs Features Consumer Voices for Coverage Evaluation

Communications — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 13:44:47 GMT

Mathematica evaluated Consumer Voices for Coverage, a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation program, to support coalitions of consumer advocacy organizations in 12 states. The evaluation used social network analysis, scales created to measure capacity, and other methods to assess the program's effects over a three-year period. An article in this month's GrantWatch section of Health Affairs features the evaluation.

Gold discusses Medicare Advantage on C-SPAN

Communications — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 11:39:52 GMT

Marsha Gold, senior fellow, talked about Medicare Advantage, privately run Medicare insurance plans, on C-SPAN's Washington Journal on September 8. The interview was one of a five-part series on Medicare.

Mathematica CEO Briefs Whitehouse Council

Communications — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 11:37:19 GMT

Mathematica president and CEO Paul Decker recently briefed the Council of Economic Advisers on workforce strategies.

Livermore Presents at Health Affairs Briefing on Confronting Costs

Communications — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 11:43:11 GMT

Senior researcher Gina Livermore presented at a Health Affairs briefing on September 8 in Washington, DC, to mark the release of the September issue, Confronting Costs. Her remarks focused on federal and state expenditures for working-age people with disabilities and policy implications.

Harrington to Direct Ann Arbor Office

Communications — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 15:06:10 GMT

Mary Harrington has been named director of health research and head of Mathematica's Ann Arbor office. She will direct programming and oversee staff conducting research on public health, children's health and health insurance, and safety net delivery systems.

Cody Named Vice President

Communications — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 15:07:27 GMT

Mathematica has named Scott Cody vice president, director of human services. In this position, he will be responsible for directing all staff and programming activities in support of human services in Mathematica's Cambridge office. A national expert in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), he has been at the forefront of Mathematica's work on the modernization of social services.

Forum Highlights Care for People with Disabilities

Communications — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 15:08:32 GMT

New publications and a recent forum from Mathematica's Center on Health Care Effectiveness (CHCE) discuss study designs and outcome measures that can be used to address different comparative effectiveness research questions on providing care for people with disabilities. These resources speak to both the challenges and promise of using comparative effectiveness research to address the spectrum of issues surrounding care for these individuals.

New Guide for States Launching ARRA-Funded Educational Initiatives

Communications — Thu, 26 May 2011 08:46:55 GMT

A new guide offers information and strategies to help states evaluate the success of education reform efforts they are conducting under funding provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

Schroeder Named to Mathematica Board

Communications — Thu, 26 May 2011 08:53:28 GMT

Mathematica is pleased to announce the election of Steven A. Schroeder, M.D., to its board of directors. Dr. Schroeder is distinguished professor of Health and Health Care in the Department of Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, as well as the director of the Smoking Cessation Leadership Center.

Glazerman Elected to AEFP Board

Communications — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 11:45:10 GMT

Senior fellow Steve Glazerman was recently elected to the board of the Association for Education Finance and Policy.

Gold's Blog in Health Affairs Reviews Medicare Advantage Plans

Communications — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 15:04:46 GMT

Senior fellow Marsha Gold's blog in Health Affairs reviews Medicare Advantage plans.

Chollet on Marketplace on Maine’s Health Care Reform Exemption

Communications — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 15:08:41 GMT

Senior fellow Deborah Chollet interviewed on Marketplace on Maine’s health care reform exemption.

New Publications Offer Data-Driven Insights into Behavioral Health Policies

Communications — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 14:53:05 GMT

Mathematica’s cadre of mental health and substance abuse researchers recently published a series of journal articles and produced a seminal chartbook for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) offering insights and information about current trends in Medicaid-funded behavioral health services.

Hoke Named Vice President

Communications — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 13:38:17 GMT

Mathematica recently announced the appointment of Ed Hoke, a resident of Washington, D.C., as vice president. In this position, he will be responsible for directing all systems and programming activities in support of human services and health research at Mathematica.

Recommendations for States on Designing Health Insurance Exchanges

Communications — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 09:13:29 GMT

Senior fellow Deborah Chollet served as co-chair on an expert panel to design a legislative toolkit, released by the National Academy of Social Insurance (NASI), that will assist states with the design of health insurance Exchanges.

Mathematica Evaluating State and Federal Efforts to Modernize Social Services

Communications — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 09:16:35 GMT

Mathematica is using its signature nonpartisan data collection and analysis to assess how well new initiatives to modernize and streamline services are serving the growing number of Americans seeking nutrition, health care, and employment assistance through the social safety net.

Mathematica’s DC Office Moving to NoMa

Communications — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 09:35:24 GMT

Mathematica recently signed a 15-year lease for 125,429 square feet at 1100 First Street, NE in the NoMa (North of Massachusetts Avenue) neighborhood near Union Station in Washington, D.C. Mathematica was represented by Woodmark Commercial Services in the lease for the Tishman-Speyer owned building. In November 2011, Mathematica’s Washington, D.C., office, along with its research affiliate the Center for Studying Health System Change, will relocate to this new Class A building, joining a growing number of private and federal organizations that call this vibrant neighborhood home. Mathematica will be vacating 600 Maryland Avenue, SW, where it has been for almost 30 years.

CHCE Issue Brief Named Kaiser Health Policy Pick

Communications — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 09:41:02 GMT

An issue brief from the Center on Health Care Effectiveness on implementing comparative effectiveness research at the point of care was named a Kaiser Health Policy pick.

Mathematica Launches Major International Studies

Communications — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 08:47:08 GMT

In projects spanning Africa, Eurasia, and Latin America and the Caribbean, Mathematica's international experts work in some of the world's most difficult field conditions to conduct rigorous impact assessments and produce reliable information on the effectiveness of programs designed to address these challenges. Recognizing the rich scope and high quality of its work, the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) recently awarded Mathematica key projects to assess international development initiatives in Moldova, Rwanda, Asia, and the Middle East.

Mathematica Launches Three Major Studies of Teacher Effectiveness

Communications — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 14:44:54 GMT

Mathematica's cadre of education experts, including 22 with expertise in value-added methods, are working on a portfolio of new projects focused on teacher effectiveness for the U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences. The projects focus on alternative teacher training, teacher performance pay, and teacher quality.

Mathematica Receives Outstanding Contractor Award

Communications — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 08:40:59 GMT

Mathematica received the 2010 Outstanding Contractor Award from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Administration for Children and Families (ACF). ACF recognized Mathematica for systematic reviews of the research evidence on two projects: home visiting programs to improve parenting skills and help alleviate child abuse and neglect, and teen pregnancy prevention programs.

Jang Appointed Director of Statistics

Communications — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 08:43:18 GMT

Mathematica has appointed Donsig Jang director of its statistics department, where he will lead the company's work in applying sophisticated statistical methods to meet the research objectives of clients, partners, and policymakers worldwide.

New CHCE Projects to Examine What Works, What Doesn't in Health Care

Communications — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 13:34:50 GMT

New projects to focus on evaluating comparative effectiveness evidence and enhancing data infrastructure.

National Doctoral Program Rankings Released; Based on Mathematica Survey

Communications — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 15:53:18 GMT

The National Research Council released its assessment of U.S. doctoral programs, which includes data on over 5,000 programs in 62 fields at 212 universities nationwide.

Coyne Named Vice President, Director of Public Affairs

Communications — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 10:15:22 GMT

Mathematica Policy Research recently announced the appointment of Adam Coyne as vice president and director of public affairs. He will focus on strategic communications to enhance the visibility of the organization and its staff and broaden the dissemination of the objective policy research and analysis it produces. Coyne is based in Mathematica’s Princeton, N.J., office.

New Study Evaluates State Efforts to Improve Quality of Children’s Care

Communications — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 10:12:49 GMT

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, awarded a five-year contract of more than $8.25 million to Mathematica Policy Research and its research partners, the Urban Institute and the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Child Policy Research Center, to assess the implementation and outcomes of grants to improve health care quality and delivery systems for children enrolled in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

Four Appointed Senior Fellows

Communications — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 15:04:21 GMT

Mathematica Policy Research recently appointed Mary Kay Fox, Brian Gill, Steven Glazerman, and Christopher Trenholm as senior fellows. Fox and Gill are in the firm’s Cambridge, Mass. ofice, Glazerman is located in the firm's Washington, D.C. office, and Trenholm is based in Mathematica's Princeton, N.J. office.

Ponza Named Associate Director of Human Services Research

Communications — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 15:03:30 GMT

Mathematica Policy Research recently announced the appointment of Michael Ponza as associate director of Human Services Research. Ponza is based in Mathematica’s Oakland, Calif., office.

New Center Focuses on Health Care Effectiveness

Communications — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 13:40:55 GMT

Mathematica has launched the Center on Health Care Effectiveness, a resource for policymakers, the public, and other stakeholders, offering broad-based expertise to provide objective evidence to inform today’s difficult health care decisions.

Center for Improving Research Evidence Launches Website

Communications — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 14:27:24 GMT

For policymakers, philanthropies, practitioners, and others concerned with evidence-based decision making, Mathematica’s Center for Improving Research Evidence (CIRE) provides training and assistance in designing, conducting, assessing, and using a range of scientific policy research and evaluations in worldwide settings.

Holcomb Joins DC Staff

Communications — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 11:00:21 GMT

Pamela Holcomb joined Mathematica’s Washington, DC, office as a senior researcher in family support and labor/workforce development.

Mathematica to Evaluate Teacher Residency Program

Communications — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 12:20:20 GMT

New teachers tend to be less effective than experienced educators and more likely to leave the profession, particularly in high-needs schools. The Teacher Residency Program, an alternative approach to teacher training, supports and retains new teachers by combining limited coursework with a one-year supervised “residency” similar to the student teaching practicum. Mathematica is evaluating the program.

New Vice President Named

Communications — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 12:10:30 GMT

Deborah Reed was appointed vice president in Mathematica’s California office.

Record Number Seek Emergency Food Assistance

Communications — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 10:20:40 GMT

Hunger in America 2010, conducted for Feeding America, is the largest, most comprehensive study to date on domestic hunger. Using data collected at food pantries, soup kitchens, and other programs nationwide, we found that:

More than 37 million low-income people received emergency food assistance through Feeding America’s network in 2009, an increase of 46 percent since 2005.
Recipients represented a broad cross-section of America, including 14 million children and 3 million seniors. Approximately 40 percent were white, 34 percent were African American, and 20 percent were Hispanic.
Thirty-six percent of recipient households had at least one adult who was working.
Ten percent of all recipients were homeless.
Seventy-five percent of Feeding America's clients were food insecure.

Read the release.

Center for Studying Disability Policy at Mathematica Announces January Forum Date

Communications — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 15:37:46 GMT

The Center for Studying Disability Policy at Mathematica Policy Research announces the eighth forum in a bimonthly lunchtime seminar series aimed at providing policymakers and others with an opportunity to hear about the latest disability policy research findings. “Is a Makeover Needed for Federal Funding of Vocational Rehabilitation Services?” is scheduled for Wednesday, January 20, from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. at Mathematica’s office at 600 Maryland Ave., SW, Suite 550, Washington, D.C. Speakers will be Todd Honeycutt, researcher, Mathematica; Yunsian Tai, senior analyst, Government Accountability Office; and Carl Suter, executive director, Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation. Read more.

New Brief Reviews Interventions for Workers with Disabilities, Provides Ideas for Health Reform

Communications — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 13:23:43 GMT

Individuals with potentially disabling conditions who are employed have distinct health care needs that, if neglected, can lead to the onset of a disability, loss of work, and subsequent dependence on federal disability benefits. In addition, many of these individuals are at risk of being underinsured because of their complex health care needs. A new issue brief from Mathematica Policy Research describes how four states are helping workers with disabilities to stay employed by providing them with expanded access to medical services and employment supports. The state initiatives are part of the Demonstration to Maintain Independence and Employment (DMIE), authorized by Congress and administered by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for the purpose of decreasing enrollment into federal disability programs by supporting the continued employment of workers with potentially disabling conditions. Mathematica is conducting a national evaluation of the DMIE. Read more.

Practical Lessons for Health Care Reform from the Military Health System: New Issue Brief Notes that Universal Coverage Alone Will Not Address Health Care Disparities

Communications — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 15:25:32 GMT

Many current health reform proposals focus on universal coverage, insurance reform, and cost control. A new issue brief from Mathematica Policy Research presents findings from its study of the military health system (MHS) that have timely implications for health care reform. The findings suggest that universal coverage alone is unlikely to solve many of the problems in our current system without other changes. While universal coverage represents a critical step to improving health care in the United States, the research suggests that other actions, such as strengthening primary care and public health initiatives, will also be necessary to solve these problems. Read more.

Rates of Participation in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Vary by State: New Publication Looks at State Participation Rates for 2007

Communications — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 15:28:00 GMT

A new policy brief from Mathematica Policy Research detailing participation rates for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly the Food Stamp Program, shows that, overall, 66 percent of all eligible people and 56 percent of the eligible working poor participated in SNAP in 2007. The participation rate—the percentage of the eligible population that participates in the program—is a widely used standard for assessing how well the program reaches its target population. Read more.

Mathematica to Evaluate Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Approaches: Eight-Year Study Examines Programs to Reduce Teen Risk Behaviors

Communications — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:24:30 GMT

Adolescent sexual activity and its consequences remain a troubling issue in the United States. After a steady decline since the early 1990s, the teen birth rate has begun to climb since 2006. Mathematica Policy Research has been awarded a contract from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Family and Youth Services Bureau, to conduct the Evaluation of Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Approaches. This eight-year random assignment evaluation is documenting evidence on effective ways to reduce teen nonmarital sexual activity, pregnancy, and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

Mathematica’s rigorous experimental impact evaluation is testing a range of promising approaches focused primarily on high-school-age youth in up to eight sites and documenting the services they deliver. The study is testing the effectiveness of each program by comparing outcomes with those of a control group in the same site. Mathematica launched a new website to track the evaluation’s progress.
Read the release.

Social Network Analysis: A Useful Tool for Program Evaluation

Communications — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:08:30 GMT

How do physician/nurse interactions affect patient outcomes? Are teachers who have better access to professional advice more effective instructors? Social network analysis (SNA), a methodological approach for measuring and mapping relationships, can be used to answer questions like this that involve social networks. A new issue brief from Mathematica Policy Research introduces the concepts behind SNA, illustrates how to use it in process and outcome evaluations, and explains how it can provide a qualitative and quantitative assessment of network relationships. Read the release.

Early Implementation of "Money Follows the Person" Initiative More Challenging than Expected

Communications — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:12:44 GMT

The Money Follows the Person (MFP) program, the largest Medicaid demonstration to date, aims to help long-term residents of institutions relocate back to their home and community-based settings and make broader changes to state long-term care systems. The national demonstration program provides up to $1.7 billion in federal grant funds to 29 states and the District of Columbia to help them offer elderly people and individuals with disabilities more options for choosing where they want to live and receive support services. Fifteen months after the first set of 30 grantees began to implement the program, however, administration and reporting barriers, worsening state budgets, and lack of affordable and accessible housing have hindered early implementation efforts, as detailed in a new report from Mathematica Policy Research. Read the release.

Larry Massanari to Head Board of Directors at Mathematica Policy Research

Communications — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:22:27 GMT

November 11, 2009—Mathematica Policy Research announced that Larry G. Massanari will become chairman of the board of directors in April 2010. Massanari will succeed Anita A. Summers, Emeritus Professor of Public Policy and Management, University of Pennsylvania, who was named chair in 1992 and will continue to serve on the board. Massanari, who will be the fourth chair in Mathematica’s history, joined the firm’s board in 2007. He spent nearly 40 years in various management and leadership roles with the Social Security Administration (SSA) before retiring from the agency in 2003. Read the release.

Abstinence Study to Receive AEA 2009 Outstanding Evaluation Award

Communications — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:10:57 GMT

Mathematica's abstinence study team, led by senior economist Christopher Trenholm and senior vice president Barbara Devaney, will receive the 2009 Outstanding Evaluation Award from the American Evaluation Association (AEA) at its annual conference in Orlando on November 13. The AEA cited the congressionally mandated, comprehensive nine-year evaluation of abstinence education programs for its rigor, balance, and impact, which led to major changes in federal policy and funding. The study was downloaded more than 100,000 times and was widely cited in the national and international media. Read the release.