The Child and Adolescent Data Lab of the University of Michigan’s School of Social Work is an applied research center focused on using a data­ driven approach to inform policy and practice decisions in child welfare and juvenile justice.

Projects

Learn about how the Child and Adolescent Data Lab is partnering with State agencies to bring about sustainable social change.

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Child and Adolescent Analytics

The Child Data Lab is working with agencies to better understand how children and adolescents move through (and at times between) the child welfare and juvenile justice systems. A primary objective of this work is to move beyond simple population counts and estimates.
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Protect MiFamily

Michigan’s demonstration project, called Protect MiFamily, operates in three sites: Kalamazoo, Macomb, and Muskegon counties. Intervention consists of prevention, preservation, and support services provided to families with young children (zero to five) determined by Children’s Protective Services to be at high or intensive risk for maltreatment.
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children in foster care in the U.S.

 

Equity and Education

Despite the critical nature of education and academic achievement in the lives of all children and adolescents, virtually nothing is known about this domain for youth involved with child welfare or juvenile justice systems.
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juveniles held in residential facilities in the U.S.

 

Illinois Waiver Demonstration

The Illinois waiver demonstration is designed to improve reunification and other family permanency and safety outcomes for foster children from drug-involved families.
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juvenile arrests in the U.S.

Our Partners

Michigan State Court Administrative Office (SCAO)

Illinois Department of Children and Family Services

Children’s Bureau, Administration for Children and Families

Redlich Horwitz Foundation

W.K. Kellogg Foundation

Michigan Committee on Juvenile Justice

Casey Family Programs

Youth Policy Lab