2023: The Institute prepared a profile of each of the counties in the Head Start service area to include basic demographic and socioeconomic statistics per Subpart A, 1302.11(b)(1) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Head Start Program Performance Standards as well as relevant statistics including child abuse, substance abuse, community health, and prenatal care. The secondary data section included a profile of Head Start eligible households, including demographic characteristics, employment and economic characteristics, education needs, health and social service needs, nutrition needs, housing and homelessness, childcare factors, transportation needs, and resources.
2018: Needs assessments conducted by the Institute equipped Luzerne County Head Start with insight from multiple stakeholder groups, as well as strategic analysis and recommendations for the future. The assessment addressed accessibility of transportation, degree of family involvement, hiring and retention of program staff, marketing and communication, and the possibility of more community partnerships. Overall, Head Start is favorably received and there are continuing needs for funding increases and service expansion.
Dr. Jolene Carey-Pace joined The Institute Team in 2021 as a Research Analyst. In 2023, she was named Senior Research & Policy Analyst. 
Sarah, a former Institute intern, joined The Institute in April 2021 as a Research Assistant. She started her new role as a Research Analyst in January 2024. 
Ooms is responsible for all facets of research, organizational strategy, and management. Ooms is an active principal investigator in all Institute research. Ooms has been nationally recognized as a leader in regional economic development. She turned that skill into a research institute to help other regions develop and prosper. Her strategic skills have allowed The Institute to expand its services to the private and non-profit sectors for research and analysis in community health needs assessments, strategic planning, market and feasibility studies, and economic impact analysis.
Jill Avery-Stoss joined The Institute in June 2018 to fill the newly-created role of Research, Data, Intern & Administrative Coordinator. She assists with the collection and management of data for purposes of ethical and efficient analysis. She visits partner campuses to market The Institute’s internship opportunities, and participates in event-planning logistical activities as well. In 2021, Jill was promoted to Director of Operations to reflect the diversity in her job description and the additional marketing and communication functions she successfully mastered in 2020. In 2022, Jill was named Chief Operating Officer after expanding into both research and administrative management functions. Jill is taking on project management, fundraising, and other executive leadership functions of the organization. In 2024, Jill Avery-Stoss assumed the role of President of The Institute, effective January 2025.