Samantha Matthews is a Ph.D. candidate at the RAND School of Public Policy and an assistant policy researcher at RAND. Her research is focused on behavioral health, criminal justice, and workforce resilience. This work includes examining the launch of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline; assessing implementation of 911-988 diversion; understanding wages, recruitment, and retention in the homeless response sector; and developing a research agenda related to people with disabilities in the justice system.
Prior to RAND, she worked in local government in the San Gabriel Valley of LA County, where she partnered with municipalities and police departments to implement homelessness, housing, and COVID-19 response programs. Her dissertation is partnered with six cities and police departments in the San Gabriel Valley to evaluate the implementation and outcomes of SGV CARE, a mental health alternative response program.
She has an M.P.A. and a B.A. in political science and communication from the University of Pennsylvania.
M.P.A., University of Pennsylvania; B.A. in political science, communication, University of Pennsylvania
