Jan DeCoursey is a senior research specialist at Chapin Hall. Her research interests include the influence of poverty and public systems on child and adolescent development and qualitative research methods. She is involved in studies to evaluate initiatives to improve the child welfare system and the educational experiences of children in public schools. She has directed several research projects focusing on youth work force preparation and has researched the availability and effectiveness of out-of-school time programs for children and adolescents. Prior to joining Chapin Hall, she led programs and research projects for the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago, the United Way in Chicago, and Chicago's “I Have a Dream” Foundation. She earned an M.A. from the School of Social Service Administration at the University of Chicago.