Research Series On Evidence

The Malcolm Wiener Center for Social Policy will be hosting a series of panel discussions on evidence. Our goal is to explore the questions of what we mean by evidence, how we “find” evidence for effective programs and practice, and how we encourage and spread the use of evidence-based programs and practices.

The discussions will be held in Weil Hall (Belfer Building/HKS) on Wednesdays from 4:00 to 5:30 pm. These events are open to all students , faculty, staff and members of the community. Please spread the word to others you think might be interested in attending.

Directions: http://www.hks.harvard.edu/about/contact

October 6: What do we mean by evidence? How do we find it? How do we promote the use of evidence-based programs and practices? Panel Discussion to raise questions to be addressed over the course of the year:
- Dara Menashi: Casey Strategic Consulting Group
- Tiziana Dearing: CEO of Boston Rising and formerly CEO of Catholic Charities
- Gail Garinger: Massachusetts Child Advocate and former family court judge
- Jim Quane, Associate Director, Joblessness and Urban Poverty Program
October 13: The Family Check-Up: Applying an evidence-based program in different contexts and with different aged children
- Daniel Shaw: Professor and Chair, Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh
- Anne Gill: Research associate, University of Pittsburgh

The Family Check Up is a brief, evidence-based intervention aimed at helping parents adopt positive family management practices and access needed services to promote child wellbeing and decrease behavior problems. The intervention is conducted by a parent consultant trained in motivational interviewing skills and includes an in-home, detailed assessment of a wide range of child and family characteristics, a feedback session, and follow up meetings. It was developed for families with adolescents and is now being used with families of very young children.

Links to 2 related research publications:

The Family Checkup with High Risk Indigent Families....(2008)

Randomized Trial of a Family Centered Approach.....(2006)

Oct 13, 2010 Family Check Up Seminar Slides

October 20: Using traditional evaluation strategies and ethnographic research to better understand program effects: the case of Moving To Opportunity
- Kathy Edin: Kennedy School faculty member
- Jeffrey Liebman: Kennedy School faculty member
November 3: Using case studies as evidence
- Joseph Kalt: Kennedy School of Government and University of Arizona faculty member
- Steve Cornell: Kennedy School of Government faculty member.

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