Supporting Education and Social Impact Through Data-Driven Processes
Sprout & Scaffold supports communities by providing data-driven recommendations to organizations seeking positive social impact. My clients primarily include organizations that fund or evaluate programs serving children and families. I help these programs to assess their own effectiveness, identify opportunities or gaps in service, and strategically plan for ongoing development of programs and policies.
In addition to my work with nonprofits, I’ve had the opportunity to evaluate and collaborate with state- and county-funded programs and initiatives. I am very familiar with the early childhood education landscape in California and the Los Angeles area, and I continue to work to increase equity in access to high-quality early care and education.
I’m Mariel Doerfel, and I’ve been living and working in Los Angeles for the last 20+ years. I received my Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles; since then, I have worked as an analyst and consultant with multiple nonprofit organizations in the education and social impact spaces.
The Story of Sprout & Scaffold
The name Sprout & Scaffold reflects a conceptual approach shared by early educators and developmental evaluators. We nurture and encourage children, organizations, or programs to sprout into existence on their own terms, and we also provide structured scaffolding to strengthen and support them as they develop. My mission is to support growth and development at all levels by facilitating creative, collaborative thought, and by applying evidence-based recommendations and practices.
Personal Values
dedication
empathy
creativity
honesty
humor
