CASE STUDIES
Elevating Expanded Learning
The Youth Support Network’s Roadmap for Equitable OST Access in Alexandria
The Youth Support Network (YSN) – led by ACT for Alexandria with support from the City of Alexandria and the Frank & Betty Wright Foundation — commissioned Weber Moore Partners, LLC to conduct an 18-month community-wide study of out-of-school time (OST) activities. Engaging 5,785 community members, the study:
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Mapped the current landscape of OST and community programs for K–12 students.
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Identified hopes, needs, and barriers facing youth, families, and providers, with emphasis on middle and high school participation.
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Developed recommendations to guide YSN’s growth and elevate the importance of expanded learning across the community.
Building on findings from the 2017 OST report, the study highlighted persistent declines in participation as youth enter adolescence and provided a roadmap for strengthening equitable, accessible OST opportunities citywide. The report release generated media coverage and engagement with the City Council. Report recommendations have led to direct action in the community including, a new program name and branding, a OST program location, training programs and greater youth engagement.
Facilitating Policy Solutions for Hunger, Nutrition, and Health
In 2022, Jennifer served as a key member of the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy’s support team for the national Task Force on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health. In this role, she led the design and execution of a series of three high-level policy convenings aimed at generating actionable and equitable federal policy recommendations to end hunger, improve nutrition, and reduce diet-related chronic disease across the United States.
Jennifer developed the agendas, structured the facilitation plans, and ensured that each convening brought together diverse and critical perspectives—from researchers and advocates to practitioners and policymakers. She guided participants through discussions designed to surface shared priorities, highlight gaps, and identify bold, feasible solutions. Following each convening, she authored detailed meeting summaries that captured key themes, tensions, and opportunities for action.
Her contributions extended beyond convening management. Jennifer played a central role in synthesizing the insights from all three sessions into the Task Force’s final report recommendations. Her ability to translate complex, cross-sector discussions into clear, equitable, and impactful policy guidance strengthened the overall coherence and utility of the Task Force’s work, helping advance a national conversation on transforming food, nutrition, and health systems.
Advancing Nutrition Policy Through Strategic Communication
Jennifer plays a key role in supporting the American Society for Nutrition’s (ASN) policy and advocacy efforts by serving as the primary writer for the organization’s biweekly Public Policy Bulletin. In this capacity, she monitors federal legislation, regulatory actions, agency updates, and developments across the nutrition and public health landscape.
Each edition of the bulletin requires synthesizing a wide array of complex, fast-moving policy information into a clear, concise, and actionable resource for ASN’s membership. Jennifer distills technical policy changes, funding opportunities, and government initiatives into accessible summaries that help members stay informed and engaged in national nutrition policy discussions.
Beyond information-gathering and writing, Jennifer ensures that each bulletin aligns with ASN’s strategic priorities and tone, highlighting issues that have significant implications for nutrition science and public health. Her work strengthens ASN’s ability to provide timely, trusted policy communications to its community, ultimately supporting informed advocacy and evidence-based decision-making across the field of nutrition.
Translating Evidence Into Practice for Healthy Aging
Jennifer has partnered with the National Council on Aging (NCOA) to bridge the gap between research, expert knowledge, and practical tools that community organizations can use to better serve older adults. Her work has centered on transforming complex insights from national experts and program implementers into accessible, actionable resources that support healthier aging across diverse communities.
One of Jennifer’s key contributions has been developing the annual key takeaways from the Older Adults Mental Health Awareness Day Symposium. This event brings together leaders in gerontology, mental health, public health, and aging services to discuss emerging issues and promising strategies. Jennifer synthesized hours of presentations and discussions—often dense with research findings and policy implications—into a clear, user-friendly summary that highlights practical lessons, priority actions, and real-world applications for practitioners and advocates.
In addition, Jennifer led the creation of toolkits designed to help organizations adapt evidence-based programs for specific populations, including rural communities and Hispanic/Latino older adults. This work required translating expert recommendations, community experiences, and implementation challenges into step-by-step “how-to” guides. These toolkits provided organizations with concrete strategies for tailoring program content, improving cultural relevance, strengthening engagement, and addressing barriers unique to each audience.
Through this work, Jennifer has strengthened NCOA’s ability to empower local partners with resources that are both grounded in evidence and responsive to community needs—ultimately supporting more equitable and effective health promotion for older adults nationwide.