Use of Research Evidence: Social Services Portfolio

In this report, Susan Maciolek synthesizes findings from Foundation-supported studies on the use of research evidence in domains including child welfare, child mental health, and justice. Maciolek, a former William T. Grant Foundation Distinguished Fellow, discusses the perspectives of policymakers and practitioners and what they might want to know as they consider using research evidence. She also provides insights that may enable researchers to contribute to a knowledge base that is more relevant and, ultimately, more useful in the realm of social services. Outlining specific opportunities and challenges that policymakers and practitioners face in integrating research evidence into their work, Maciolek highlights the complexity of the use of research evidence in policy and practice, and provides examples of the potential value it may add to youth-serving systems.