Allyson D. Gittens

Policy Analyst

Boston Office

Education

M.H.S. in social factors in health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health; B.A. in sociology, Dartmouth College

One Page Bio

Overview

Allyson Gittens (she/her) is a policy analyst at the RAND Corporation. Her research focuses on the social determinants of health, health equity, the health care workforce, teacher workforce and education equity. Gittens has served as project manager and task lead on a number of complex projects within the health and education space, including an evaluation of equitable administration of the COVID-19 vaccine, a project that delivers a community-tailored intervention to Alaska Native youth at risk for suicide as well as several projects centered around improving teacher well-being. Her research expertise involves qualitative methods and program evaluation. Gittens holds a Master of Health Science degree with a concentration in social factors in health from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and a B.A. in sociology from Dartmouth College.

Research Focus

Publications

Report
Intellectual, Developmental, and Physical Disabilities in U.S. Legal Settings: A Scoping Review
The authors conducted a scoping review to assess the current state of the literature related to individuals with disabilities who interact with the criminal and civil legal systems, with the goal of developing a future research agenda.
Nov 30, 2023
Report
Intellectual, Developmental, and Physical Disabilities in U.S. Legal Settings: A Proposed Agenda for Future Research
In this report, the authors propose recommendations to guide researchers as they examine the experience of individuals with disabilities and their interactions with the U.S. criminal and civil legal systems.
Nov 30, 2023
Report
Intellectual, Developmental, and Physical Disabilities in U.S. Legal Settings: Perspectives from People with Relevant Experience
The authors conducted interviews with professionals and people with lived experience to understand what it is like to interact with the civil or criminal legal system while having a disability, with the goal of developing a future research agenda.
Nov 30, 2023
Report
State Curriculum Reforms and Their Potential Contribution to Instructional System Coherence: A Case Study of Rhode Island and Tennessee
RAND researchers investigate how English language arts curriculum reforms in Rhode Island and Tennessee might be related to the adoption and use of standards-aligned curriculum materials and teachers’ perceptions of instructional system coherence.
Sep 13, 2023
Report
Conditions That Teachers of Color Perceive as Contributing to a Sense of Belonging at School: Findings from the 2022 Learn Together Survey
Teachers of color described conditions that cultivate a sense of belonging in their schools. These conditions included school climate, school demographics, collegial relationships, and efforts to educate the school community about race and culture.
Aug 15, 2023
Report
Teachers' Perceptions of Coherence in K–12 English Language Arts and Mathematics Instructional Systems
RAND researchers interviewed a sample of members of the American Teacher Panel who responded to the spring 2022 Coherent Instructional Systems Survey to examine how teachers perceive and navigate coherence within their instructional systems.
Apr 25, 2023
Report
Prioritizing Strategies to Racially Diversify the K–12 Teacher Workforce: Findings from the State of the American Teacher and State of the American Principal Surveys
The authors of this report surveyed and interviewed teachers and convened a panel of education policymakers to identify policies and strategies that could help racially diversify the teacher workforce in the United States.
Sep 20, 2022
Report
An Evaluation of a Multisite, Health Systems–Based Direct Care Worker Retention Program: Key Findings and Recommendations
A mixed-methods evaluation of a program to help stem the loss of newly hired entry-level caregivers found no positive effect on retention or financial sustainability.
Sep 6, 2022
Research Brief
Helping Caregivers Thrive? An Evaluation of a Direct Care Worker Retention Program
The 12-month program, Transformational Healthcare Readiness through Innovative Vocational Education, took a multipronged approach to addressing employment barriers for entry-level health care workers across three health systems from 2019 to 2021.
Sep 6, 2022
Research Brief
Putting Equity First in COVID-19 Vaccination
The Equity-First Vaccination Initiative aimed to reduce racial disparities in COVID-19 vaccination rates in the United States. Five demonstration sites implemented hyperlocal, community-led strategies to increase vaccine confidence and access.
Aug 24, 2022
Report
The U.S. Equity-First Vaccination Initiative: Impacts and Lessons Learned
The authors detail impacts and lessons learned from the U.S. Equity First Vaccination Initiative, which aimed to increase COVID-19 vaccination access and confidence in communities of individuals who identify as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color.
Aug 24, 2022
Report
Walking a Fine Line—Educators' Views on Politicized Topics in Schooling: Findings from the State of the American Teacher and State of the American Principal Surveys
Using nationally representative survey data, the authors analyze educators' views on two politicized issues—COVID-19 mitigation policies and teaching about race, racism, or bias—to better understand the consequences of politicization in schools.
Aug 10, 2022
Report
Restoring Teacher and Principal Well-Being Is an Essential Step for Rebuilding Schools: Findings from the State of the American Teacher and State of the American Principal Surveys
Researchers present selected findings on teacher and principal well-being, working conditions, and intentions to leave their jobs from the 2022 State of the American Teacher and State of the American Principal surveys.
Jun 15, 2022
Research Brief
Behavioral Health Technicians: Extending the Reach of Military Behavioral Health Care
RAND researchers identified ways take to maximize behavioral health technicians' (BHTs') contributions to military health and readiness, including expanding training opportunities and providing BHTs with tools and templates for frequent tasks.
Mar 22, 2022
Report
Optimizing the Role of Military Behavioral Health Technicians: A Survey of Behavioral Health Technicians and Mental Health Providers
RAND researchers surveyed military behavioral health technicians (BHTs) and licensed mental health providers about BHTs' contributions, training and supervision, and job satisfaction, as well as barriers to integrating them into clinical practice.
Mar 22, 2022
Report
English Language Arts Instructional Systems in the First Full Year of COVID-19
The authors focus on teachers' perceptions of the guidance received on English language arts instruction and instructional system coherence during the first full year of COVID-19 (2020–2021), and how teachers' perceptions compared with 2019–2020.
Jan 31, 2022
Report
The U.S. Equity-First Vaccination Initiative: Early Insights
The Equity-First Vaccination Initiative aims to reduce racial/ethnic disparities in U.S. coronavirus vaccination rates. Five demonstration sites are using hyper-local, community-led strategies to increase vaccine confidence and access.
Jan 28, 2022
Research Brief
Early Insights from the Equity-First Vaccination Initiative
The Equity-First Vaccination Initiative aims to reduce racial/ethnic disparities in COVID-19 vaccination rates in the United States. Five demonstration sites are using hyper-local, community-led strategies to increase vaccine confidence and access.
Dec 20, 2021
Journal Article
COVID-19 Community Response: Emerging Themes Across Sentinel Communities
Since the onset of COVID-19, RAND researchers contributed to four reports on the impact and response in nine communities (Finney Co., Harris Co., Milwaukee, Mobile, San Juan Co., Sanilac Co., Tacoma, Tampa, and White Plains) and four cross-community reports.
Jul 14, 2021
Report
An Evaluation of the Military OneSource Call Center in Select Groups of Callers: Call Quality, Call Outcomes, and Caller Satisfaction
The authors evaluate call quality, call outcomes, and caller satisfaction for the Military OneSource call center for military personnel and their families. They provide recommendations for operations and identify areas for future study.
Jun 23, 2021
Tool
Entry-Level Health Care Workforce: Information and Programs Visualization Tool
This tool provides a visualization of the concepts in "Strengthening the Entry-Level Health Care Workforce: Finding a Path" which reviews strategies, strengthens and expands the entry-level health care workforce, and identifies opportunities for stakeholders.
Dec 17, 2020
Journal Article
Strengthening the Entry-Level Health Care Workforce: Finding a Path
The goal of this research was to review evidence on promising strategies, strengthen and expand the entry-level health care workforce, and identify potential opportunities for stakeholders to consider.
Dec 15, 2020