Dennehy

Julie A. Dennehy

Research Associate

Ms. Julie Dennehy is an experienced Research Associate specializing in Child and Family Services. Ms. Dennehy has 14 years experience with early care and education and out-of-school-time practice, research, and policy. Ms. Dennehy holds a Masters of Management from the Heller School of Social Policy and Welfare, Brandeis University and a Bachelors degree in Human Services and Child Development from Northeastern University.

Ms. Dennehy’s recent work includes the Boston Quality Inventory, Boston Family Child Care Study, The Afterschool Program Assessment System, the Massachusetts Capacity Study, the Massachusetts School Readiness Study, Massachusetts Afterschool Research Study (MARS), and Boston Public School Early Childhood Program Study. Past projects also include the Maine Cost and Quality Studies, a two-year inquiry into center-based and family-based child care in Maine, and the New England Workforce Partners for Early Care and Education.

Ms. Dennehy is a skilled data analyst, responsible for data analyses for MARS and for the Massachusetts Capacity Study. Ms. Dennehy also has extensive experience in professional development in early education and care, and out-of-school time, including guiding an Advisory Group through a strategic planning and writing process which resulted in The Blueprint for Action: Professional Development System for the Out-of-School Time Workforce. Additional workforce related reports include Evidence for Action: Massachusetts Out-of-School Time Workforce, and Preparing the Early Education and Care Workforce: the Capacity of Massachusetts’ Institutions of Higher Education.

Before joining the Wellesley Centers for Women, Ms. Dennehy was a policy analyst on child- and family-related issues including welfare reform, child and family development, employment and training, and hunger and nutrition. She was also a VISTA volunteer and Mickey Leland Hunger Fellow with the Congressional Hunger Center. Ms. Dennehy has also been an afterschool program director, preschool teacher and residential treatment counselor for children and youth.

Phone: 781-283-2557
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  • PEOPLE ARE SAYING

    "NIOST has been an anchor for numerous school age care projects we do, including ASQ (After-School Quality) and Links to Learning. They are a nationally respected organization that Pennsylvania has partnered with for over 20 years."



    – Betsy O. Saatman, TA Specialist/SAC Initiatives, Pennsylvania Key
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    "NIOST was a core partner in supporting the development of quality improvement systems across the nine cities that participated in The Wallace Foundation Next Generation Afterschool System-Building Initiative. The NIOST team worked well with other technical assistance partners in the initiative, always willing to pitch in and collaborate with others to make our professional learning community meetings a team effort. I truly hope the Foundation has an opportunity to partner with them in the future."


    – Priscilla M. Little, Initiative Manager, The Wallace Foundation

  • PEOPLE ARE SAYING

    "NIOST has been a leader in the out-of-school time field for as long as I can remember, and I have relied on their research, tools, and advice to improve my practice throughout my career. Their staff members are good partners and good listeners, and their influence across the country is palpable."


    – Jane Quinn, Vice President and Director of National Center for Community Schools, Children's Aid Society
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    "Georgia Hall, Ellen Gannett, and the NIOST team have been instrumental in driving the healthy afterschool movement. Their dedication to quality practice, informed policy, and collective impact is instrumental in our effort to create healthier communities."



    – Daniel W. Hatcher, Director, Community Partnerships, Alliance for a Healthier Generation

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The National Institute on Out-of-School Time

A program of the Wellesley Centers for Women at Wellesley College

Wellesley Centers for Women
Wellesley College
106 Central Street
Wellesley, MA 02481-8203 USA

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781.283.2547
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