Research and Evaluation Section

The Research and Evaluation Section collaborates with the Early Childhood and Family Support Division (ECFSD) programs and maternal and child health partners to effectively use data in monitoring and addressing maternal and child health issues in Montana. The section analyzes and interprets data for use in program planning, evaluation, assessment, and policy development.

  • Population Health Needs Assessment and Surveillance: To assess the status, needs, and disparities within the maternal and child health population through data collection, data analytics, and GIS.
  • Measurement and Reporting: To measure and report the impact of health conditions and respond to data requests by agency executives, legislators, federal and local partners, advocates, media, and the public-at-large.
  • Program and Intervention Evaluation: To measure the impact and return on investment of MCH programming and highlight potential improvements for future interventions.
  • Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS): To collect, analyze, and report Montana-based data on maternal behaviors and experiences before, during, and after pregnancy.
  • State Systems Development Initiative (SSDI): To develop, enhance, and expand maternal and child health data capacity in Montana and provide epidemiological support for the Title V MCH Block Grant program.

Erin Dobrinen, MS, MAS, CPH, is the Research Analyst Supervisor for the Early Childhood and Family Support Division. She is a proud graduate of Montana Tech and Johns Hopkins School of Public Health.  She has previously worked at Rocky Mountain Tribal Epidemiology Center, Montana State University, and for local Public Health. She is excited to work with the Early Childhood and Family Support team to provide actionable data to address health disparities in Montana populations. Erin is a fifth-generation Montanan who enjoys her free time reading good books and camping with her family.

Melissa Lavinder, BS, CPH, is the State of Montana's Early Childhood Program Evaluator, primarily focused on evidence-based and universal home visiting programs. She completed her BS in Pre-Professional Biology at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in 2013 and is currently pursuing a Master's of Public Health degree from the University of Montana. Melissa has accumulated over 11 years’ of experience working at DPHHS to strengthen families and prevent child maltreatment. She has experience in program administration and evaluation, grant allocation processes, and stakeholder engagement. Melissa is a recipient of the Service to Children and Abby M. Zent Service Recognition awards. Melissa spends most of her free time with her family, enjoying the outdoors, baking, and crafting.

Mary Duthie, MPH, is the State of Montana's Maternal Health Epidemiologist for the Early Childhood and Family Support Division. She has completed her BS in Microbiology at Montana State University and received a Master's of Public Health in Epidemiology from the University of Arizona. Mary has previously worked as an epidemiologist for the Asthma Control Program in Montana's Public Health and Safety Division and as a SNAP, TANF, and Medicaid Overpayment Adjustor in the Quality Assurance Division. Mary spends her free time testing new recipes, watching figure skating, and playing Dungeons and Dragons with her friends.

Ellysse Boughey, MPH, CE, PHGIS, is the State of Montana’s Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Spatial Epidemiologist. In this role, she uses spatial analyses and data visualization to address MCH issues in Montana. Ellysse holds a Master’s of Public Health and Certificate of Epidemiology from the University of Montana. She also received a Public Health Geographic Information Systems Certificate from the University of Illinois-Chicago. Ellysse has worked in the public health field since 2018, starting as an AmeriCorps member with the Richland County Health Department in Eastern Montana. During her free time, she enjoys recreating outdoors with her dogs and gardening.

Maren Weber, BA, CPH, works as a research analyst for several early childhood programs. Her main focus is the PRAMS program, managing the data, running the day-to-day activities of the research program, and completing analysis of program activities. She also supports data needs of the Fetal Infant Childhood Maternal Morbidity (FICMMR) program, the Newborn Screening Hearing Program, and others within the Research Analysis unit. She completed her BA at the University of Montana Western and CPH at the University of Montana. Maren is passionate about maternal health and early childhood needs and improving conditions of young families in Montana. Previously she has worked with Helena College in Registration and Admissions and with Social Security Disability Determinations. In her free time, she stays busy caring for two young daughters, two dogs, and a husband. She enjoys camping, fishing, gardening, off roading, traveling being fluent in the best internet memes, and generally being hilarious.

Kara Grandy, BS, CPH, is the Montana Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) Coordinator and Epidemiologist Lead. Kara completed her BS in Health and Human Performance-Health Promotion from Montana State University-Billings in 2013. Since then, she has acquired several certificates in public health and is working on her Master’s in Public Health. She has worked in public health for over 11 years in the areas of maternal health, teen pregnancy prevention, food access, referral systems, built environment, and chronic disease prevention. She has experience in program management and evaluation, stakeholder engagement, and policy development. When she is not at work, you can find her camping with friends, sewing, and spending time with her amazing partner, stepson, and three dogs.

Maysa Walters, MPH, MPA, CE, is the Program Evaluator for the Montana Obstetric and Maternal Support (MOMS) and ERASE Programs for the Early Childhood and Family Support Division, which focus on statewide efforts to reduce preventable fetal, infant, child and maternal deaths. She has completed her BS in Population Health with minors in Sustainability Studies and Psychology from the University of New Mexico and received a Master’s in Public Health, a Master’s of Public Administration, and a Certificate in Epidemiology at the University of Montana. She is currently living in Missoula and pursing her PhD in Public Health. Her research background spans both qualitative and quantitative methods, with experience in ovarian and breast cancer studies, rural health, and environmental health — particularly focusing on climate change and wildfire smoke exposure. In her free time, she loves staying active — whether it’s running, hiking, lifting, hot yoga, or coaching soccer. When she’s not on the move, she enjoys traveling, spending time with her pets, and hanging out with family and friends.

Tanner Dempsey, MPA, is a Program Evaluator for the Early Childhood and Family Support Division.  Tanner was born and raised in White Sulphur Springs, MT and is a graduate of the University of Montana where he received a BA in Sociology as well as a Master’s in Public Administration.  His previous work includes county public health, nonprofit policy work, leadership, management, mental health administration, and various positions in addictions, developmental disabilities, and behavioral health.  Tanner is excited to use his previous experience and education to contribute to the mission of ECFSD. Outside of work, Tanner enjoys snowboarding, camping, playing music, listening to music, watching films, hiking, swimming, and traveling with his two young children and wife, Emilie.