Evidence-Based Research & Program Evaluation

Children and families deserve high–quality, evidenced-based research and program evaluations that meet their needs and support children’s safety, permanency, and well-being. Child Trends’ research and evaluation experts serve as trusted, objective partners in building evidence–based research across the child welfare continuum. We develop and conduct formative studies (i.e., feasibility, implementation, and outcome studies) and rigorous impact studies, including quasi-experimental studies and randomized controlled trials. Our team designs all evaluations in close partnership with public and private partners and with individuals and communities. Because we involve the people who are most affected by our research, we believe our findings can be used confidently to build program and system capacity.