Jessica Bruning, M.S.
Research Associate
Jessica Bruning has more than 5 years of experience in public policy, program evaluation, and research related to children and families. Her skills include mixed-methods research, evaluation design, technical writing, strategic planning, partnership building, and technical assistance. She is especially interested in early childhood systems research and equitable access to programs.
Bruning assists grantees through the Early Childhood Systems Technical Assistance and Coordination Center and the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Innovation Technical Assistance Resource Center. She also supports the Home Visiting Applied Research Collaborative and the National Home Visiting Resource Center.
Prior to JBA, Bruning worked as the evaluation and communication specialist with Iowa’s Integrated Data System for Decision-Making at Iowa State University. In that role, she helped develop and use integrated administrative data to support policy and program priorities for early childhood and family issues.
Bruning received her M.S. in human development and family studies at Iowa State University. She is writing her Ph.D. dissertation on prenatal enrollment in home visiting programs.
As a preschool teacher and then an AmeriCorps member with a legal aid organization, I saw the need for system-level changes. I produce research that is directly applicable to practice, accessible to all families and practitioners, and respectful of their experiences. I enjoy working with and learning from a national team of innovative people who strive to strengthen early childhood programs and systems.