Office of Translational Research
The Office of Translational Research partners with Illinois’ child welfare leaders and practitioners to apply new scientific knowledge into the daily work of child welfare, filling important gaps and encouraging innovation. Its work brings together the knowledge of people with lived experience, community partners, university researchers, and child welfare professionals with the aim of strengthening family well-being.
Guided by the values of equity, justice, and healing, the Office of Translational Research develops and supports data-driven tools, programs, and policies that strengthen the child welfare workforce, cultivate transformative leadership, and promote child, youth, and family well-being. Funded by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) and connected to the Office of Research and Child Well-being, the Office of Translational Research serves as a bridge between research and practice.
The Office of Translational Research helps DCFS design programs and use evidence, research, and data visualizations to inform decisions, policies, and practices. Through focused research-practice partnerships, the Office of Translational Research plays various roles – in creating new knowledge, synthesizing existing research, and promoting application of new evidence – to support the well-being of children, youth, and families across Illinois.
