Research and Innovation

The Research and Innovation department enhances understanding of what it takes to reach economic self-sufficiency, and uses that knowledge to inform program design and advocacy/public policy efforts.

Research and Innovation (R&I) accomplishes its goals by:

• Conducting needs assessments of our internal clients
• Involving clients and staff in the research design process
• Determining best practices for program and policy efforts
• Evaluating existing programs and services
• Analyzing labor market data, trends, and projections
• Evaluating current policies and trends
• Writing research reports to disseminate findings

A three-pronged approach differentiates R&I from similar policy and research centers. First, R&I focuses on the client "voice" as a vehicle to create innovative products and public policy recommendations. Second, R&I capitalizes on interdisciplinary research—including psychology, sociology, business, education, and health—to inform its approach and recommendations. Third, R&I leverages its talent in organizational development to foster a collaborative evaluation environment and to nurture inquiry and "intrapreneurship" across the organization.

The Research and Innovation (R&I) department was launched in 2002 to complement our direct service and policy programs. The purpose of Research and Innovation is to enhance understanding of what it takes to reach economic self-sufficiency, and to use that knowledge to inform program design and advocacy efforts.

Research & Innovation accomplishments and highlights:

• The 2005 release of Achieving Success in the New Economy: Which Jobs Help Women Reach Economic Self Sufficiency, which identified 25 "hot jobs" that are in high demand, pay self-sufficient wages, and require less than two years of education.

• Designing a state-of-the-art technology training center, which opened in early 2005 and offers computer skills training in an environment tailored to the unique needs of women learners.

• Leading the redesign of the Woman to Woman curriculum, which integrates computer training and professional skills development, and has resulted in greater numbers of participants pursuing training and education leading to self-sufficient jobs.

• Developing outcome measures for all Crittenton Women's Union programs

Currently, R&I is engaged in the following projects:

• Researching best practices for new program and policy efforts
• Conducting needs assessments of our internal clients
• Developing a "Hot Jobs" website area where participants can access the latest information about wages, education, and employment prospects
• Developing a new model of self-sufficiency which focuses on the cognitive, behavioral and environmental predictors of self-sufficiency
• Evaluating existing programs and services
• Developing interim and impact measures of self-sufficiency to integrate across program areas
• Analyzing labor market data, trends, and projections
• Evaluating current policies and trends for women and workforce development