Morrissey’s work centers on examining and improving public policies for vulnerable children. Her research examines the impacts of early care and education, food assistance, and neighborhood poverty on children’s development. Previously, she held staff positions on the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee for former Sens. Ted Kennedy (D-MA) and Tom Harkin (D-IA) and at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.