As Research Director, Abby leads the research and policy team. She guides proposal development, oversees research design implementation, and coordinates the release of findings with the goal of improving policy and practice that affect early educators. Prior to her role as Research Director, Abby led the Center’s work exploring the preparation of early educators through the Early Childhood Higher Education Inventory series of studies. Abby has more than a decade of experience in the early childhood research and policy fields in both non-profit and academic settings, including extensive experience with program evaluation and secondary data analysis. Before joining CSCCE in 2016, Abby co-authored several briefs on the topics of child care, school readiness, and quality rating for the Child and Family Policy Center in Iowa. Abby earned a master’s degree in Applied Child Development and Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning from Tufts University and a Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Studies from Iowa State University. In her free time, Abby tries to keep up with her energetic family and directs a youth volleyball club.
Publications by Abby Copeman Petig
Designing a Wage Increase Pilot: A Framework for Supporting Early Educators in Contra Costa County
November 13, 2024 • Report • By Anna Powell, Caitlin McLean and Abby Copeman Petig
The pilot design project was funded by First 5 Contra Costa. Guaranteed income (GI) pilots are increasing in popularity in cities and counties nationwide to improve compensation for early educators.
The Economic Well-Being of Early Educators in California: Early Educator Well-Being Series
October 23, 2024 • Report • By Wanzi Muruvi, Anna Powell, Yoonjeon Kim, Abby Copeman Petig and Lea J.E. Austin
This report was generously supported with grants from the Heising-Simons Foundation, the Blue Shield of California Foundation, the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, and the Silicon Valley Community Foundation. Early…
“I Could Not Afford to Continue”: Job Changes and Exits in Early Care and Education
May 7, 2024 • Data Snapshot • By Anna Powell, Wanzi Muruvi, Lea J.E. Austin and Abby Copeman Petig
This snapshot and the California ECE Workforce Study are generously supported by grants from the Heising-Simons Foundation and the Silicon Valley Community Foundation. Family child care (FCC) providers and…
The Professional Well-Being of Early Educators in California: Early Educator Well-Being Series
May 6, 2024 • Report • By Wanzi Muruvi, Anna Powell, Yoonjeon Kim, Abby Copeman Petig and Lea J.E. Austin
This report was generously supported with grants from the Heising-Simons Foundation, the Blue Shield of California Foundation, the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, and the Silicon Valley Community Foundation. Our…
The Early Care and Education Workforce of Sonoma County
May 1, 2024 • Snapshot • By Anna Powell, Wanzi Muruvi, Lea J.E. Austin and Abby Copeman Petig
This report was generously funded by First 5 Sonoma County. Building on the California Early Care and Education (ECE) Workforce Study, this report looks at the licensed workforce in Sonoma…
March 12, 2024 • Report • By Anna Powell, Tobi Adejumo, Lea J.E. Austin and Abby Copeman Petig
This report was generously supported with grants from the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation and the David and Lucile Packard Foundation. Despite its prolific nature, family, friend, and neighbor (FFN) care…