Diverse Perspectives on the Promise and Challenge of Child Welfare Data Integration: Panel Discussions from the Practice and Research Communities

Abstract

Two panel discussions were featured at a part of the conference on Integrated Data Solutions sponsored by the Pennsylvania State University Child Maltreatment Solutions Network. The first panel provided an opportunity for open dialogue among conference attendees, including child welfare administrators and staff from both state and county child welfare systems. The second panel reconvened presenters and chapter authors to reflect on cross-cutting themes that emerged over the course of the 2-day meeting. These panels highlighted a number of issues and challenges faced by local systems as they seek to create and utilize integrated or linked administrative data systems. Administrators shared some of these struggles and highlighted some promising solutions to address challenges. Participants suggested ways that the research community and funders could better support such efforts through the use of community-engaged research partnerships and provision of resources to initiate such partnerships. Participants also highlighted the benefits of translation and dissemination of research outcomes through such partnerships to encourage continued growth of such methods within the child maltreatment research field.