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
- 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 CiteThe East Durham Children's Initiative Year 10 Evaluation Report: Implementation and Outcomes
Report · January 31, 2022 CiteResponsive Early Access for Durham’s Young Children (READY): Year 1 Evaluation
Report · December 31, 2020 CiteRecent Grants
Evaluation Administrative Supports and Direct Evaluation Activities
ResearchCo-Principal Investigator · Awarded by Durham Housing Authority · 2023 - 2028Reducing the Need for Out-of-home Placements: A Randomized Controlled Trial to Examine the Effects of Family Centered Treatment on Well-Being Outcomes and Public Dollar Costs
ResearchCo-Principal Investigator · Awarded by Family Centered Treatment Foundation · 2018 - 2025In-Home Family Child Care Project
Public ServicePrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Southwestern Child Development Commission · 2024 - 2025View All Grants