The Colorado Lab is guiding and coordinating the ongoing rigorous evaluation of evidence-based services that are part of Colorado’s Family First Prevention Services Plan, in partnership with the Colorado Department of Human Services. In our October newsletter, the Colorado Lab released a call for external research partners to support us in executing our evidence-building work with state and local partners, including opportunities with Family First. We are delighted to announce that the Center for Policy Research (CPR) has been selected as the research team to design and conduct the evaluation of Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). TF-CBT is a named service in Colorado’s Prevention Services Plan and has been prioritized for evidence-building as part of expanding the mental health service array. CPR holds nearly four decades of experience in rigorous evaluation, primarily in child welfare and child support.

“CPR is an ideal partner to help build evidence for TF-CBT. They have strong relationships with Colorado providers, see the promise of TF-CBT for Colorado’s children, youth, and families, and have the expertise needed to ensure a successful evaluation that meets state and federal needs,” says Dr. Courtney Everson, Senior Researcher and Project Director with the Colorado Lab. The TF-CBT evaluation will kick off this month with CPR leading out on design and capacity-building to prepare for full launch in later 2022. The Colorado Lab is grateful to the highly qualified teams that applied to this opportunity and we look forward to activating additional partner expertise in future efforts.

You can learn more by reading the Lab’s report, Strategy for the Evidence-Based Aspects of the Family First Service Continuum, or reach out to Dr. Courtney Everson.