A Word From the Section President

Greetings, Div. 37, CM Section members:

This quarter has been a busy one policywise for those who follow child welfare policy at the federal and state levels. Our very own member At large, Angelique Day, has summarized much of the federal activity in her upcoming newsletter column. As always, thank you so much, Angelique, for being on top of this legislation and for so succinctly and expertly translating this activity into meaningful terminology and relevant action steps! You provide this section an invaluable service.

Angelique details a solicitation from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Children’s Bureau, for feedback on initial criteria and potential candidate programs and services for review in a clearinghouse of evidence-based practices in accordance with the Families First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA)—legislation that was passed earlier this year. I’m quite proud to report that our section, in collaboration with the Research-to-Policy: Child Welfare Rapid Response Team, Penn State’s P50 Center for Health Children and over 20 researchers from around the country responded with advice about how to shape such a clearinghouse. A detailed response was compiled by the Rapid Response Team and sent to the Children’s Bureau in time for a full consideration of recommendations. 

Many thanks to those who contributed content and to those who sent the solicitation on to researchers and experts who could weigh in. And a very special thanks to Taylor Scott who manages the Rapid Response Team for spearheading this effort, compiling the information and approaching signatories. This is exactly the type of coalescing that is necessary in order for policymakers to have access to state-of-the-art science to inform decisions have the best chance of impacting the lives of vulnerable children and families.

Email me directly or contact Taylor Scott and we’d be happy to forward the response and the list of supporting signatories. If you missed out on the opportunity to weigh in on this important issue and would like to be a part of the Rapid Response Team, please join online.

Also, a big congratulations to this year's award winners!

  • Samantha Gonzalez, MA: Section on Child Maltreatment Dissertation Award
  • Miguel T. Villodas, PhD: Early Career Award for Outstanding Contributions to Research/Practice in the Field of Child Maltreatment

Jennie Noll, PhD