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Dr. Jessica Thornton Walker is an accomplished researcher and the leader of Abt’s quantitative methods team who brings 20 years of experience designing and implementing policy-relevant research. She is a recognized expert in large-scale, multi-site evaluations to assess the impacts of social policies and programs in housing and homelessness, child welfare, adolescent risk-taking behaviors, and substance use.In her role as the Quantitative Methods Lead, Dr. Walker is responsible for the management, staffing, budgeting, solutioning, and strategy that guides the work of 120 quantitative research staff and ensures Abt provides high-quality technical delivery and innovative solutions tailored to clients.

Safe, stable, nurturing relationships and environments are essential to supporting child and family well-being. Our work supports policies, programs, and systems designs that prevent exposure to child abuse, neglect, and other adverse childhood experiences. We cocreate solutions with families, communities, and their partners to promote the conditions children need to thrive: economic security, housing stability, access to quality early childhood care and education, healthcare, and other community supports and resources.

Abt is committed to centering equity within our operations and our programming. Taking an equity-centered approach allows us to deliver on our mission to improve the quality of life and economic wellbeing of people worldwide.

Meet our Early Childhood Education Experts.

Abt’s cross-sectoral Medicaid Practice Team has decades of experience supporting policy and research to understand and address the social determinants of health.

Income inequality. Housing affordability. Education achievement gaps. These social determinants of health can impact families over generations. How do we close the opportunity gap to ensure families have the resources and capabilities they need to thrive?

This webinar will present key findings on racial bias in employment processes – and strategies for employment and training programs to disrupt this bias. 

Abt’s webinar will focus on the need for an expanded suite of financial products available to women-owned and -led businesses. #genderlens #genderlensinvesting #gli #impactinvesting

This webinar discusses the risks, challenges, and potential mitigation strategies associated with investment opps in underinvested sectors and geographies.