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Nicole Lawrence

Research Scientist, Senior
Center for Child and Family Policy
Box 90539, Durham, NC 27708-0539
302 Towerview Road, Duke Box 90311, Rubenstein Hall, Durham, NC 27708

Overview


Dr. Lawrence has a primary focus on designing and conducting community-based research and evaluation studies of programs serving at-risk children and their families across a range of disciplines including early childhood and elementary education, mental health, and social services/child welfare.  Her research interests were established through prior professional experiences in program development and management within non-profit organizations underscoring the needs for, and the challenges associated with, conducting research and evaluation of human services programs in community-based settings. Her work at the Center for Child and Family Policy (CCFP) at Duke University has provided the opportunity to bridge these areas through building partnerships with city, county, state, and non-profit agencies that serve children and families, for the shared purpose of collecting and analyzing data in “real time” to improve practice, enhance outcomes, inform policy, and contribute to the literature. Since joining CCFP in 2006, she had led or co-led 18 studies utilizing both qualitative and quantitative research methods and experimental and quasi-experimental designs.


Research Interests:

  • Program Evaluation
  • Child Maltreatment
  • Education
  • Children's Mental Health
Education:
  • Ph.D. University of Nebraska, Lincoln - 2009
  • M.P.P.A. California State University, Sacramento - 2001
  • B.A. Sonoma State University - 1994

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Recent Publications


A Multi-Stakeholder Perspective on Factors Affecting Successful Transition to Adulthood for Youth with Severe Emotional Disturbances.

Journal Article Child & adolescent social work journal : C & A · November 2022 This study elicited the perspectives of youth, caregivers, service providers and researchers to explore how communities can best support the transition to adulthood for youth ages 16-21 with mental health and functional impairments, who are at risk of disc ... Full text Open Access Cite
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Recent Grants


Evaluation Administrative Supports and Direct Evaluation Activities

ResearchCo-Principal Investigator · Awarded by Durham Housing Authority · 2023 - 2028

In-Home Family Child Care Project

Public ServicePrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Southwestern Child Development Commission · 2024 - 2025

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