Evidence-Informed Decision Making in Child Welfare: A Randomized Control Trial Evaluation.

Abstract

Purpose: Child welfare practice often requires direct intervention with vulnerable children and families, whereby workers are responsible for various services and decisions that may have a lasting impact on families involved in the child welfare system. Research illustrates that clinical needs are not necessarily the only factor at the foundation of decision making; Evidence-informed Decision Making (EIDM) can act as a foundation for critical thinking and deliberate practice in the context of child welfare service delivery. This study evaluates an EIDM training that aimed to enhance workers' behavior and attitude toward the EIDM process with a focus on research.

Method: This randomized control trial evaluated the effectiveness of an online EIDM training for child welfare workers. The training consisted of five modules that were completed at the team (n = 19) level at a rate of approximately one module every three weeks. The training intended to promote the exploration and use of research in everyday practice by critically thinking through the EIDM process.

Results: Due to attrition and incomplete posttests, the final sample size was 59 participants (intervention, n = 36; control, n = 23). Generalized Linear Model Repeated Measures analyses found an EIDM training main effect on confidence in using research and research use.

Discussion and conclusion: Importantly, findings suggest that this EIDM training can influence participant outcomes related to engaging in the process and the use of research in practice. Engagement with EIDM is one mechanism to promote critical thinking and exploration of research during the service delivery process.