Building stronger
workforce systems
Independent workforce research and evaluation to inform healthcare and disability workforce strategy, policy, and practice.
Workforce research. Interpretation for leadership.
Our Work
Canvas conducts independent workforce research and evaluation for nonprofit organizations and national associations in the healthcare and disability sectors, supporting the design, evaluation, and strengthening of workforce systems.
This research informs evaluation, strategy, and leadership decision-making.
- Survey development and statistical analysis
- Administrative and longitudinal data analysis
- Workforce pipeline and labor market analysis
- Compensation, retention, & turnover research
- Job quality and economic insecurity analysis
- Independent evaluation of workforce initiatives
- Outcome and impact assessment
- Implementation-sensitive analysis
- Funding-aligned metrics and reporting
- Equity-focused evaluation design
- Strategic workforce advising
- Evidence-based executive workshops
- Translating research into leadership action
- Evidence briefs for policymakers
- Data-driven support for grant proposals
Selected Projects
Direct Support Professional Workforce Study
Large-scale workforce study with over 4,500 frontline staff examining turnover intentions, compensation, and economic insecurity.
Findings informed executive strategy, funding advocacy, and policy discussions.
Healthcare Workforce Stressor Study
Mixed-methods research with hospital-based nurses examining workplace stress, distress, and intervention opportunities.
Findings supported negotiations on pay, working conditions, and workforce stability.
Public Sector Internship Program Evaluation
Independent evaluation of a citywide internship initiative assessing job readiness, supervisor attitudes, and employment pathways.
Findings informed program redesign, funding strategy, and expansion planning.
Executive Leadership Workshops on Workforce Strategy
Designed and led executive workshops translating workforce research into leadership decision-making, board communication, and strategy.
Work supported organizational planning and policy-level decisions.
About
Canvas Workforce Research + Strategy is an independent research practice led by Dr. Jennifer Cohen, an economist specializing in healthcare and disability workforce research, with affiliations at Rutgers University and the University of the Witwatersrand.
Her work focuses on workforce stability, economic insecurity, and structural conditions in healthcare and disability services.
The research examines how workforce conditions are experienced in practice and how leadership decisions shape workforce sustainability.
Contact Us
For inquiries about research, evaluation, or advisory work, please get in touch.
We welcome conversations with organizations seeking to strengthen the healthcare and disability workforce.