Tara Laila Blagg

Tara Laila Blagg, a postdoctoral assistant policy researcher at RAND Corporation, specializes in children’s health, education policy, and social equity. Her work bridges public health and juvenile justice systems, focusing on improving outcomes for at-risk populations.

Education:

• Ph.D., Pardee RAND Graduate School
• M.S.W., University of Houston (Political Social Work)
• B.A., Rice University (Hispanic Studies)

Her research examines the intersection of neighborhood influences on health, K–12 education reform, healthcare access, and housing policy. She emphasizes equity-centered frameworks, particularly in public health data systems and juvenile justice interventions.

Recent publications highlight trends in:

• Mental health program evaluation for justice-involved youth
• Virtual mentoring during the pandemic
• AI applications for suicide risk detection in schools
• Workforce well-being in healthcare crises
• Equity-driven data infrastructure
• Military cadet parental rights policies

Prior to RAND, Blagg directed legislative efforts in Texas related to indigent healthcare and county criminal justice systems, and analyzed child health-academic outcomes at Rice University’s Baker Institute.