Evaluating the Childhood Adversity and Resilience Research Training Platform (CARe RTP): A model for community-led research in child maltreatment and child welfare

Abstract

Child maltreatment is a pervasive public health and child rights crisis globally, requiring improved prevention and response strategies to address early life adversity and associated child welfare involvement. The Childhood Adversity and Resilience Research Training Platform (CARe RTP), funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), is a pan-Canadian initiative aimed at enhancing research capacity and producing impactful research in child maltreatment and child welfare (www.CAReRTP.ca). This article details the rationale, guiding principles, curriculum, and activities of the CARe RTP and shares lessons learned from its implementation in collaboration with community research partners. The pilot evaluation revealed high participant satisfaction, increased knowledge of child maltreatment and child welfare research, and robust engagement with the program. Feedback resulted in significant enhancements, including improved networking opportunities, trauma- and violence-informed program adjustments, and extended cohort timelines to support community-driven research projects. The CARe RTP is building upon its initial success by exploring opportunities for expansion to increase its reach and impact. Future directions involve strengthening partnerships, addressing the evolving needs of the community, and promoting broader collaboration among researchers, community organizations, and policymakers. By prioritizing capacity building and bridging the research-to-practice gap, the CARe RTP is advancing the field of child maltreatment and child welfare research in Canada and beyond.