About MDRC
At MDRC, Brennan’s research focuses on programs for disadvantaged young people, individuals involved with the criminal justice system, and other populations with barriers to employment. In her role as a research analyst, she specializes in the implementation of large-scale studies in collaboration with researchers, policymakers, and practitioners, and conducts qualitative research. Since joining MDRC, Brennan has primarily worked on the Building Bridges and Bonds evaluation — a federally funded study that aims to build evidence about promising approaches to improve outcomes for low-income fathers and their children. Brennan joined MDRC after graduating from Oberlin College with a BA and is pursuing an MPA in public and nonprofit policy and management from New York University’s Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service.
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MDRC Publications
BriefFindings from the B3 Study
December, 2019This brief presents an early analysis of a program incorporating interactive cognitive-behavioral techniques with job-readiness services for fathers recently involved in the justice system. Implementation succeeded, but about 30 percent of fathers did not engage in the program or in existing fatherhood services, suggesting similar participation challenges in both.
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Other Publications
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Projects
Kristin Porter, Bret Barden, Melanie Skemer, Chloe Anderson Golub, Brit Henderson, Viktoriya Syrov, Lily Freedman, Emily BrennanJurisdictions across the United States are taking steps to reduce the number of people who are detained in jail unnecessarily while awaiting trial. In particular, they are seeking to reduce the use of cash bail as a mechanism to ensure court appearance. Many jurisdictions have introduced risk-assessment tools to inform release decisions and pretrial supervision...
Charles Michalopoulos, Dina A. R. Israel, Michelle S. Manno, Emily Brennan, Emily Marano, Oscar Cerna, Donna Wharton-Fields, Erika Lundquist, Ann Bickerton, Rekha Balu, Rebecca BehrmannSince 2006, Responsible Fatherhood programs across the country have received federal funding administered by the Administration for Children and Families, Office of Family Assistance within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. These programs aim to promote positive father-child interactions, improve parents’ relationship with each other and their capacity...
Dina A. R. Israel, Michelle S. Manno, Dan Bloom, JoAnn Hsueh, Rekha Balu, Charles Michalopoulos, Virginia Knox, Erika Lundquist, Electra Small, Rebecca Behrmann, Samantha Wulfsohn, Ann Bickerton, Douglas Phillips, Patrizia Mancini, Emily Brennan, Jillian Verrillo, Bret BardenFathers play a unique role in their children’s lives and development, but some fathers face personal or societal barriers to positive involvement with their children — such as low levels of education, stigma from criminal records, declining wages for low-skilled men, or family instability. Responsible Fatherhood programs aim to improve the well-being of low-income...