Frederique Corcoran
Researcher & Advocate
Orange County ,CA
Summary
I am a researcher and advocate dedicated to advancing equity and well-being for children and families by bridging evidence, policy, and practice. With experience in mixed-methods research, grant writing, and community engagement, I translate research into community-driven initiatives that support families and address systemic barriers. My goal is to partner with mission-driven teams to create impactful, community-centered solutions.
Overview
2
2
years of professional experience
Work History
Executive Assistant & Research Consultant
TONE UP
09.2023 - Current
- Support organizational operations, including grant writing and fundraising initiatives.
- Coordinate events and manage the Executive Director’s calendar.
- Contribute to strategic planning for community engagement efforts.
Researcher
UMN & Minnesota Department Of Education
09.2022 - 12.2024
- Conducted mixed-methods research for the Minnesota State Legislature, resulting in two policy briefs outlining barriers and solutions to early childhood education access for children in foster care.
- Led focus groups and interviews with foster families and diverse stakeholders to ensure community perspectives shaped policy recommendations.
- Analyzed qualitative data using NVivo to develop actionable insights for state agencies and inform legislative decision-making.
- Collaborated with state professionals and community experts to revise the Minnesota Early Childhood Indicators of Progress (ECIPs), integrating the latest research to enhance cultural and linguistic inclusivity.
Research Consultant
Minnesota Departments of Corrections and Education
09.2022 - 06.2023
- Guided the implementation of a pilot program to improve access to early learning scholarships for children of incarcerated parents.
- Provided research-based recommendations on program design, including target populations, age groups, family eligibility criteria, and protective factors to support child well-being.
Community-Engaged Researcher
Institute for Aspiring Abolitionists
01.2023 - 05.2023
- Designed a research project informed by community needs to identify the safest U.S. cities for Black individuals, particularly those re-entering society post-incarceration.
- Developed a Safe City Guide summarizing data on Black safety, including strength-based indicators such as Black progress and life expectancy, to inform safer living and travel decisions.
- Created an interactive Google Map showcasing data on Black deaths by police violence across cities and counties in the U.S.
Education
Ph.D. - Developmental Psychology
University of Minnesota
05.2001 -
Master of Arts - Developmental Psychology
University of Minnesota
05.2001 -
Bachelor of Science - Psychological And Brain Sciences
University of California Santa Barbara
05.2001 -
Skills
Community Engagement
Mixed-Methods Research
Grant Writing
Advocacy
Data Visualization
Fellowships and Grants
Secured $60,000 in competitive funding to support my research and time, demonstrating my ability to develop compelling proposals.
- Interdisciplinary Doctoral Fellowship | $25,000 |
- Leadership and Education in Adolescent Health (LEAH) Pre-Doctoral Fellowship | $27,000 |
- Multiple smaller research grants totaling $7,000 to support my independent research initiatives.
Selected Publications and Reports
Webster, E., Corcoran, F., & Hodges, H. (2024). Adverse childhood experiences and resilience: Family resilience as a promotive factor in young children’s flourishing. SAGE Open, 14(4), 21582440241302899.
Muñiz, J. O., Corcoran, F.,... & Dallaire, D. (2024). COVID-19 and family visits: A systematic jurisdiction analysis of family visitation and safety policies in Juvenile Correctional Facilities in the United States. Youth Justice, 14732254241248619.
Dorman, A., Ingram, D., Corcoran, F., LaLiberte, T., Piescher, K., & Bailey, A. (2023). Early care and education participation for young children in foster care: Family and staff perspectives. Minnesota Department of Education.
Sarah, B., & Corcoran, F.... & McIntyre, A. (2021). Rural community stress: Understanding risk and building resilience. Children’s Mental Health eReview.
Advocacy Presentations
Corcoran., F. (2024, June 7). Increase school-based supports for MN children of incarcerated parents. [Advocacy presentation to elected officials in MN]. Minneapolis, MN.
Corcoran, F... & Shlafer, R. (2025, May). Resilience in the context of parental incarceration and youth mental health: Relationships at home and beyond. In Shlafer, R. J. (Chair). U.S. children's experiences of the criminal legal system. Symposium to be conducted at the meeting of the Society for Research in Child Development (SRCD), Minneapolis, MN.
Corcoran, F...& Masten, A. (2024, June). Parenting quality as a promotive factor for young children experiencing family homelessness and parental incarceration [Poster presentation]. The International Society for the Study of Behavioral Development (ISSBD). Lisbon, Portugal.
Corcoran, F... & Masten, S. A. (2023, March 22-25). The intersection between family homelessness and parental incarceration in young children: Risk and resilience [Poster Presentation]. Society for Research in Child Development, Salt Lake City, UT.
Beehler, S., & Corcoran, F... & Michaels, C. (2020, Oct. 5-8). Rural community stress: Research and intervention [Community engaged conference session]. The University of Minnesota’s Extension Program Conference. Minneapolis, MN.
Timeline
Executive Assistant & Research Consultant
TONE UP
09.2023 - Current
Community-Engaged Researcher
Institute for Aspiring Abolitionists
01.2023 - 05.2023
Researcher
UMN & Minnesota Department Of Education
09.2022 - 12.2024
Research Consultant
Minnesota Departments of Corrections and Education
09.2022 - 06.2023
Ph.D. - Developmental Psychology
University of Minnesota
05.2001 -
Master of Arts - Developmental Psychology
University of Minnesota
05.2001 -
Bachelor of Science - Psychological And Brain Sciences
University of California Santa Barbara
05.2001 -