Kayla joined CPR as a research assistant in 2023. At CPR, Kayla works on a variety of projects related to child support, housing instability and homelessness, and economic mobility. Her work supports the analysis of administrative data, equity assessments, and the translation of research findings into actionable guidance for state and local partners. Kayla also contributes to the evaluation of programs focused on reducing youth homelessness through the Colorado Rural Collaborative for Runaway and Homeless Youth (RC), supporting data-driven strategies to improve service delivery in rural communities. She brings a background in psychology, equity-focused research, and direct service experience working with K–12 students and survivors of domestic and sexual violence, which informs her commitment to trauma-informed and participant-centered research. Kayla has co-authored multiple technical reports and peer-reviewed publications and has presented research in applied and academic settings.

Passion Statement

Kayla is motivated by research that improves how public systems show up for youth and families. She is especially committed to advancing equitable, data-informed child support policies and strengthening responses to youth homelessness, with a focus on elevating lived experience and supporting practical, system-level improvements that promote long-term stability.