From Evidence to Action: Leveraging Dual System Youth Research to Transform Policy and Practice in a Politicized Landscape

Dual system youth, those navigating both the child welfare and juvenile justice systems, face disproportionate risks across critical domains, such as education, behavioral health, housing stability, and ongoing justice system involvement. Although research on this vulnerable population is growing, translating this evidence into effective, system-wide policy and practice change remains a challenge. This roundtable brings together multidisciplinary researchers at varying career stages to explore how research on dual system youth can drive tangible, real-world impact and address entrenched inequities. Presenters will share insights from both qualitative research and large-scale, data driven research and policy efforts. One speaker will delve into the lived experiences of dual system youth, discussing strategies for centering their voices in research and policy development. Another presenter will discuss strategies to strengthen collaborations between juvenile justice and child welfare systems using evidence-based approaches such as the Crossover Youth Practice Model (CYPM), with a focus on the role of integrated data systems. Additional speakers will bring practitioner-informed perspectives, examining the complexities of evidence use at local and state levels and the challenges of engaging key juvenile justice and child welfare stakeholders. The session will then explore two critical areas: first, the translation of research into actionable policy solutions, followed by a discussion of the political challenges in implementing research findings. First, the discussion will explore how research on dual system youth can be transformed into actionable policy solutions. Presenters will explore strategies for fostering collaboration between researchers and policymakers, overcoming barriers to implementation, and examining jurisdictional case studies where evidence has successfully informed policy reforms. The session will then turn to the political challenges surrounding research uptake, particularly when evidence challenges entrenched systems and interests. Topics will include navigating partisan divides, effectively communicating research findings to policymakers, and balancing the need for methodological rigor with the urgency of timely dissemination in a high-stakes, politicized environment. Designed to foster interactive discussion, this roundtable will provide researchers, practitioners, and students with practical strategies for advancing equity, building research-policy partnerships, and navigating the complexities of policy implementation. Attendees will leave with actionable tools for contributing to transformative change for dual system youth.