How to Build Research Capacity in Residential Care Settings

There are well-documented obstacles to conducting rigorous empirical research in residential care settings (i.e., foster care; residential group care; residential treatment), along with increased demands to document the effectiveness of such services. In response to this need, agencies are working to build and/or to strengthen their internal research capacity now more than ever.

Participants will receive an overview of the literature on building research capacity within agencies. Although a few conceptual models, frameworks or approaches in building research capacity have been offered, there is limited information about what works effectively in building research capacity and about how to improve existing research capacity within an organization, especially within residential care settings. To that end, a case study which involves the implementation of a child-level outcomes data collection strategy across 40 residential care sites in 2 states will be presented. This work was conducted in collaboration with the residential care providers, and state residential member organization staff, consistent with the principles of participatory action research.

A 10-action step theoretical model, originally developed for building research capacity in residential treatment centers, will be applied in the case study. The implementation process will be highlighted, including a description of the agency site visit process and of the staff training approach. The literature suggests that one of the most crucial aspects of building research capacity is staff development and training, whereby the training goals, format, and techniques should be carefully prepared to maximize its effectiveness. A total of 435 staff members, including agency leadership, were trained in the data collection protocol. The research team employed various training modalities in order to accommodate the largest number of staff possible; 138 staff members were trained in large group trainings, and an additional on-site training was provided to 282 staff members across 36 on-site agency sessions. Ten training sessions were conducted via teleconference with 14 staff members. Integral to agency recruitment and training was the development of a training manual and CD, and accompanying PowerPoint presentation. Participants will learn about the essential elements of a well-constructed training manual and of data collection packets.

The average cost to train staff to implement the data collection protocol at the 40 agency sites was $2,940 per site. This project represents one of only a few successful efforts to engage providers in scientifically sound research aimed at examining child-level outcomes for residential care providers.

The presenters will share the above information via a prepared PowerPoint format, followed by audience questions, and a discussion (1.5 hour session). This interactive workshop will provide participants with an opportunity to review actual materials utilized in the study.