New evidence-based social work research group opens at U of T

Community Action, April 18, 2005

TORONTO -- The Research Institute for Evidence-Based Social Work has opened at the University of Toronto's Faculty of Social Work. The Institute aims to collaborate research with local and national front line social service providers and provide research that is "directly related to real-life practical needs."

The faculty has established these areas of research that included specific projects:

* children and their families

* diversity and social justice

* mental and physical health

* gerontology

The faculty is now working with 13 child welfare and mental health agencies to set the research agenda.

Three projects are under way:

* Cyber Abuse of Children (funded by Bell Canada);

* Children's Services Data Base (funded by Mr. and Mrs. Li Shun Xing, Canada Foundation for Innovation and the Ontario Innovation Trust);

* Evidence Based Model of Risk Assessment in Child Welfare (funded by Jessie Ball duPont Fund).