Montana KIDS COUNT Staff
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Thale Dillon Director, Research Analyst Ms. Dillon is the director of economic research for Montana KIDS COUNT. She holds degrees in both economics and forest economics, earning her master's degree from the University of Montana in 1999. Since then, she has been involved in both tourism and forestry research before joining KIDS COUNT in 2006. In recent years, Ms. Dillon has been focusing on issues that will advance awareness and understanding of the conditions faced by Montana's vulnerable children and families, all the time emphasizing the need for evidence-based decision making and the importance of using and understanding data. She also has experience in survey research and statistical analysis, and has for years been involved in American Indian health issues. |
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Daphne Herling Policy Research and Analysis (Emeritus) Ms. Herling has many years experience in the non-profit sector as both a fund-raiser and a community organizer. She has developed coalitions and trained community leaders in a wide variety of topics. Her work in the community has included: economic development, poverty, hunger, disabilities, and homelessness. As a trained facilitator, she has conducted focus groups, key informant interviews, and assisted groups in vision, mission, and goal development. She has raised funds on statewide and national levels for private and corporate foundations, through special events and major donor campaigns. Though no longer part of KIDS COUNT's day-to-day staff, Ms. Herling is still sought out for her expertise and experience, and is available as an informal advisor. E-mail: daphne.herling@business.umt.edu |
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Jennifer Calder Outreach Coordinator In addition to building the MT KIDS COUNT communications strategy, she is responsible for the development and maintenance of relationships and contacts with key stakeholders working on child and family policies and programs. Prior to her work at the Bureau, she served as the Program Coordinator for the Montana Parent Information and Resource Center where she provided training, systems planning and technical assistance to build family and community engagement in education at the local, regional and state level. Jennifer holds a B.A. in History from the University of California, Davis, and completed her post-Baccalaureate coursework in Education at the University of Texas, Austin. E-mail: jennifer.calder@business.umt.edu |
