Initial Small Grants Program
This initial small grants program is designed to foster applied research by faculty of the participating universities that is of benefit to DCFS and the field of public child welfare addressing current and pressing issues of policy and practice. This initial small grants program is designed to foster applied research of benefit to DCFS and the field of public child welfare addressing immediately relevant projects related to policy and practice. The CFRC is currently funded under an agreement with the County until 12/05/06, so this initial small grants program will focus on short-term projects of immediate benefit, as well as pilot efforts that show promise of expansion in later years. A longer term program is anticipated in order to achieve the promise of the CFRC.
[Click here for 2005-06 program description] (PDF)
Faculty Research Interests
One of the initial activities of the Children and Families Research Consortium (CFRC) was to visit the IUC social work schools and departments in order to speak directly with faculty about their research interests. CFRC staff were very impressed with the enthusiasm and support expressed by faculty at all five campuses. Overall we met with 47 faculty members, staff and doctoral students representing the full range of university personnel at all levels, including those with teaching, internship and research responsibilities. The groups included people with considerable experience in child welfare research, those just beginning their research careers, and those with practice experience in child welfare who wanted to consider possible collaboration with researchers. During the meetings, each faculty member was asked to describe their experience and future research interests in all areas of child welfare practice, administration and policy.
As CFRC staff have continued to hear from additional faculty members who were unable to attend the intial meetings, we have expanded the list and we expect to continue this process over time. We also plan to expand this initial listing of social work faculty to include a multidisciplinary listing of researchers in allied schools and departments who are currently active or interested in becoming active in child welfare research.
This document summarizes detailed notes taken at each of the five meetings, providing both a brief description of individual faculty interests as well as an intial matrix of cross-campus research interests.
Hopefully, this initial assessment will be of interest to our extended community of colleagues at the five IUC campuses, to Department of Children and Family (DCFS) staff, and to many other child welfare stakeholders involved in using data, research and evidence to increase knowledge about child welfare. This initial assessment provides heartening support for the shared vision of the DCFS Director and the IUC Deans and Directors – Los Angeles has an impressive cohort of university-based researchers who stand ready to partner with public and private agencies and with community groups to improve outcomes for children and families.
[Click here for a summary of faculty interests] (PDF)
[Click here for a list of faculty under cluster areas] (Microsoft Excel)