Our Team

Katie Bass

Policy Research Manager

kbass@firstfivenebraska.org
402-261-9671 Ext. 104

A McCook native, Policy Research Manager Katie Bass joined First Five Nebraska in fall 2020. Prior to that she worked to improve outcomes for Nebraska children in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems. Most recently, as Research Director for the Foster Care Review Office, Katie oversaw data collection, analyzed available data and made recommendations to the Legislature and Nebraska stakeholders for system improvement based on results. She has a passion for making data accessible and engaging for all, and uses skills gained in the classroom and as a faculty member at Eastern Illinois University to make complex research clear, relatable and applicable to policymakers.

Katie received a Ph.D. and M.A. in sociology from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and a B.A. from Hastings College. When Katie met her husband, Dave, more than 13 years ago, she gained a bonus daughter Brittany, now 29. Together, Katie and Dave have two children, daughter Parker, age 9, and son Reece, age 3.

Areas of Focus

Research and Data Analysis, Child Welfare, Social Inequality