Kristin Abner

Kristin is a poverty solutions and workforce subject matter expert and seasoned researcher focusing on human services and social policy. Her work has been published in Sociological Spectrum, Social Service Review, Early Childhood Research Quarterly, the Journal of Marriage and Family, and the Journal of Social Service Research. Kristin has focused her research on the importance of place in effective policy to support children and families, conducting research across the human services spectrum including Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, asset building and financial literacy, child welfare, toxic stress, family strengthening, the Child and Adult Care Food Program, childcare type and quality, and community development.

Kristin supports and leads projects focused on social programming for vulnerable families, emphasizing the intersection of research to policy and practice, and utilizing evidence-informed approaches to enhance service delivery. She has experience using large datasets and administrative data to conduct quantitative analysis, including multilevel modeling, multinomial logistic regression, latent class analysis, factor analysis, and propensity score analysis. She also has experience conducting qualitative research, including interviews, focus groups, and site visits.