Increasing Research Capacity in Ontario Child Welfare Organizations: A Unique University–Child Welfare Agency Partnership

Abstract

The objective of this article is to describe the successes and challenges of a unique knowledge mobilization initiative that was funded through the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. This initiative focused on promoting knowledge mobilization by increasing the capacity of child welfare organizations in Ontario to conduct and use research. Building on existing knowledge mobilization models in Ontario, this initiative brought university-based researchers together with child welfare practitioners to use existing data sets from the Ontario Incidence Studies of Reported Child Abuse and Neglect. Overall, this knowledge mobilization initiative resulted in several positive outcomes. Along with the successes, the research team faced several challenges in implementing this initiative, which are described in detail.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Barbara Fallon

Barbara Fallon is an Associate Professor at the Factor Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, and Nico Trocmé is the Director of the School of Social Work and a Professor at McGill University. Melissa Van Wert is a PhD Candidate at the Factor Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto. Krista Budau is the Supervisor of Accountability, Children’s Aid Society of Algoma. Mary Ballantyne is the Executive Director of the Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies. Kristen Lwin is with PART (Practice and Research Together) at the University of Toronto.

Nico Trocmé

Barbara Fallon is an Associate Professor at the Factor Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, and Nico Trocmé is the Director of the School of Social Work and a Professor at McGill University. Melissa Van Wert is a PhD Candidate at the Factor Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto. Krista Budau is the Supervisor of Accountability, Children’s Aid Society of Algoma. Mary Ballantyne is the Executive Director of the Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies. Kristen Lwin is with PART (Practice and Research Together) at the University of Toronto.

Melissa Van Wert

Barbara Fallon is an Associate Professor at the Factor Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, and Nico Trocmé is the Director of the School of Social Work and a Professor at McGill University. Melissa Van Wert is a PhD Candidate at the Factor Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto. Krista Budau is the Supervisor of Accountability, Children’s Aid Society of Algoma. Mary Ballantyne is the Executive Director of the Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies. Kristen Lwin is with PART (Practice and Research Together) at the University of Toronto.

Krista Budau

Barbara Fallon is an Associate Professor at the Factor Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, and Nico Trocmé is the Director of the School of Social Work and a Professor at McGill University. Melissa Van Wert is a PhD Candidate at the Factor Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto. Krista Budau is the Supervisor of Accountability, Children’s Aid Society of Algoma. Mary Ballantyne is the Executive Director of the Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies. Kristen Lwin is with PART (Practice and Research Together) at the University of Toronto.

Mary Ballantyne

Barbara Fallon is an Associate Professor at the Factor Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, and Nico Trocmé is the Director of the School of Social Work and a Professor at McGill University. Melissa Van Wert is a PhD Candidate at the Factor Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto. Krista Budau is the Supervisor of Accountability, Children’s Aid Society of Algoma. Mary Ballantyne is the Executive Director of the Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies. Kristen Lwin is with PART (Practice and Research Together) at the University of Toronto.

Kristen Lwin

Barbara Fallon is an Associate Professor at the Factor Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, and Nico Trocmé is the Director of the School of Social Work and a Professor at McGill University. Melissa Van Wert is a PhD Candidate at the Factor Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto. Krista Budau is the Supervisor of Accountability, Children’s Aid Society of Algoma. Mary Ballantyne is the Executive Director of the Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies. Kristen Lwin is with PART (Practice and Research Together) at the University of Toronto.