Our Tomorrows Project and Using SenseMaker for Child Welfare Planning, Research, and Evaluation

Stories are a powerful and persuasive method for conveying the real-life experiences and perspectives of individuals from diverse backgrounds. They serve as an essential tool for conducting research and evaluation in child welfare populations and settings, and for informing program planning and implementation.

This webinar provides an overview of Our Tomorrows, a project led by the Center for Public Partnerships and Research at the University of Kansas that uses insights from families’ stories to take action and make decisions. It features SenseMaker, a web-based platform that facilitates the collection, analysis, and visualization of qualitative data gathered directly from real people, without the need for third-party or algorithmic interpretation.

The panel presentation includes child welfare researchers and practitioners who have used SenseMaker:

• Jenny Flinders, M.S.Ed., Research Project Manager, Center for Public Partnerships and Research, University of Kansas
• Kaela Byers, Ph.D., Associate Research Professor, University of Kansas School of Social Welfare
• Lexie Palacio, M.A., Community Collaborative Director, Partners in Prevention, YMCA of San Diego County
• Ariane Porras, Consultant and Trainer, Partners in Prevention, YMCA of San Diego County
• Erinn Havig, M.S.W., Primary and Community Prevention Lead, Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families

The webinar was produced on behalf of the Children’s Bureau, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.