Research Advisory Board (RAB)
The purpose of the RAB is to advise DCFS on research priorities responsive to safety, permanency, and child and family well-being, to develop consensus on short and long-term research agendas, and to advise on the implications of research for policy, practice, and training.
Co-chaired by the DCFS Director and CFRC Research Director, the RAB will include stakeholders representing the County, public and non-profit private agencies, universities and key community groups. Advisory Board members will be selected based on their knowledge and experience with vulnerable children, families and communities, and will include representation from the IUC universities, DCFS staff, the Commission on Children and Families, child welfare advocates and other key stakeholders. Members representing diverse racial, cultural, gender, and geographic groups will be asked to serve three-year terms, and may be reappointed to additional three-year terms.
Subject to available fiscal resources, the RAB will approve major research priorities. The RAB may appoint ad hoc task forces on specific topics as needed, including development of research priorities. The DCFS Director, CFRC Research Director and RAB members shall jointly determine the frequency of meetings, reports to key stakeholders, and the process for determining research priorities.
[Click here for meeting minutes from November 2, 2006] (pdf)
[Click here for meeting minutes from July 10, 2006] (pdf)
At the initial Research Advisory board meeting on July 10, members
suggested a very broad array of topics where additional research might be
beneficial to DCFS. The CFRC staff was able to identify existing literature
reviews and studies that shed some light on many of the issues discussed at
our July meeting. This document gives an overview of our background
research to date, and will hopefully provide starting points for more
intensive review in areas where members might have a special interest.
RAB Members
Co-Chairs:
Trish Ploehn
Director, DCFS
Dr. Jacquelyn McCroskey
Research Director, CFRC
Scientific Subcommittee
After the first meeting of the RAB, CFRC will also establish a Scientific Advisory Subcommittee composed of University faculty members to develop a process for critically reviewing and approving key scientific products. The Subcommittee will serve as a peer review panel as needed, and will assure that all research meets accepted standards of scientific adequacy and affords an opportunity for the presentation of alternative findings and interpretations.
[Click here for meeting minutes from November 6, 2006] (pdf)
Scientific Subcommittee Members
Co Chairs:
Dr. Jacquelyn McCroskey,
Research Director, CFRC
Dr. Larry Ortiz, Social Work Chair,
CSU Dominguez Hills
Mitch Mason, Chief of Governmental Relations, DCFS
Members:
Dr. Antoinette Andrews,
First 5 LA
Dr. William Arroyo,
DMH Children & Families Services Bureau
Dr. Mariam Azadian,
DCFS Office of Planning and Research
Cecelia Custudio,
DCFS Bureau of Information Services
Dr. Herman DeBose,
CSUN Department of Social Work
Sharon Harada,
Probation Juvenile Field Services Bureau
Dr. Anh-Luu Huynh-Hohnbaum,
CSULA School of Social Work
Dr. Aurora Jackson,
UCLA Department of Social Welfare
Dr. Cheryl Lee,
CSULB Department of Social Work
Dr. Ferrol Mennen,
USC School of Social Work
Dr. Manuel Moreno,
CAO Service Integration Branch
Sofia Moreno,
Children’s Planning Council
Dr. Steve Sanders,
DCFS Wateridge Office