Clearinghouses are databases that collect and evaluate evidence for interventions in a specific field. They can be used by professionals to review existing programs and practices based on the strength and quality of the evidence.
Below are links to two clearinghouses in the child welfare field, which can be used by child welfare professionals, researchers, and the general public.
California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare
The California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse (CEBC) is funded by the Office of Child Abuse Prevention under the California Department of Social Services. They include a database of programs, practices, and interventions related to child welfare and family well-being.
Users can search by name, alphabetical list, or through a detailed list of topic areas. Ratings are given to each program: well-supported, supported, promising, evidence fails to demonstrate, or concerning practice. The website also offers materials and tools to help make decisions about selecting and implementing programs.
Title IV-E Prevention Services Clearinghouse
The Title IV-E Prevention Services Clearinghouse is housed within the U.S. government agency Administration for Children and Families (ACF).
They provide a review of research on programs and services in the following areas:
- mental health
- substance abuse prevention and treatment
- in-home parent skill-based programs and services
- kinship navigator programs
Interventions are given a rating (well-supported, supported, promising, or does not currently meet criteria) based on the strength of existing evidence.
Users can search for programs by name, by the strength of evidence, or by service area. Each program listed has information on the intervention, links to studies and evaluations, and a breakdown of what the evidence says for particular outcomes.