With support from Casey Family Programs, the Annie E. Casey Foundation, and the William T. Grant Foundation, we are proud to present the National Research Agenda for a 21st Century Child and Family Well-Being System.
This effort is an unprecedented attempt to create a comprehensive national research agenda for a modern-day child welfare system that addresses key gaps in knowledge, practice, and policy to help inform current child welfare policy and services.
Grounded in principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), and co-designed with those with lived experience, we are transforming the way in which we support families and communities both in what we research and how we research it.
"The research agenda holds the promise of transformative change, moving beyond mere fixes and patches to truly reshape the system. Our previous incremental adjustments have fallen short, and it is time for a new approach."
Robyn Robbins, Lived Experience Expert
1.
Form a broad-based coalition of research partners to identify research gaps to support child welfare
2.
Articulate clear research questions relevant for jurisdiction leaders and policy-makers that need to be addressed
3.
Identify and implement strategies for conducting research that will close the gaps and answer those key questions
4.
Provide agencies with support to improve policies, programs, and practices based on research findings
Research Gap Focus Areas
Over 300 research gaps were identified by our expert workgroups. Through an evaluation and ranking process, we identified 23 high-priority gaps for immediate consideration. These high-priority gaps are clustered into four key areas.
Transforming Research Approaches for Effective Change
To address these gaps effectively, there is an urgent need to transform our research approaches. Proposed strategies include:
Promoting Meaningful Engagement
We believe in the power of authentic engagement with communities and people with lived experience.
Promoting Racial Justice through Culturally Responsive Research
We adopt a diversity, equity, and inclusion framework in our research as part of our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Embracing Participatory Research
We challenge researchers to prioritize the use of participatory research methods to address research gaps.
Innovative Research Methods
We encourage the exploration of innovative methods, such as qualitative research, human-centered design, and the inclusion of small sample studies.
Transforming Funding Processes
We urge funders to support researching prioritized gaps with transformative methods.
Changing the faculty review and reward structures in Universities
We invite academic institutions to recognize and reward community-based participatory research and involvement of people with lived experience.