Introduction

The Center for Applied Research Solutions (CARS) is committed to improving capacity to improve social conditions important to us all. These conditions include:

• Promoting positive opportunities and outcomes for children and youth.Strengthening families and social-emotional development for young children.Preventing substance abuse and associated individual and social harms.
• Building stronger communities.

To accomplish these objectives, CARS promotes the application of evidence-based practice. For us, this means translating research-based knowledge into clear guides for useful application in “real world” organizations, services and communities.We promote evidence-based practice through:

• Research Synthesis. Translating and synthesizing research to identify evidence-based policies, programs and practices that build capacity to achieve positive social outcomes.
• Learning Products. Producing effective learning products that provide specific guidance for diverse organizations, groups (e.g., specific cultures) and individuals (e.g., workforce participants).
• Training and TA. Provide training and technical assistance (TA) that meets the needs of specific circumstances and purposes.
• Communication and Learning Communities. Facilitate communication and learning through in-person and technological (e.g., web-based) methods appropriate to diverse audiences.

Originally established as EMT Group, Inc. in Sacramento, California in 1981, CARS was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) in 2001. A second office was opened in Santa Rosa, California in 2005. CARS serves institutions, groups and individuals throughout California and is expanding to provide services nationwide.The CARS team of over 120 staff and consultants are dedicated professionals who have expertise in all facets of strategy and program design, implementation and evaluation.

CARS Approach

CARS’ Approach to building capacity and achieving outcomes is based on five core principles.

1. Bridging the Gap between Research and Practice

CARS’ approach to services is firmly grounded in the belief that research-based evidence is crucial to improving our effectiveness in achieving social improvement. Social problems are complex, and traditional approaches or “common sense” are insufficient guides to effective action. However, research-based knowledge must be carefully translated into specific guides to policies, procedures and skills if it is to be applicable. CARS facilitates the exchange and transfer of knowledge from researchers to practitioners, policymakers, and the community through three crucial steps.

• Monitoring relevant research to identify and synthesize evidence-based policies, programs, and practices.Developing informational, training, and TA products and services that make evidence-based lessons useful and clearly applicable in realistic service settings.
• Delivering and facilitating use of evidence-based policies, programs and practices through accessible formats that meet diverse user resources and needs.

We view CARS as an organizational conduit for effectively communicating the practical relevance of science-based knowledge to build positive communities and prevent social problems.

2. Balancing Guidance and Responsiveness in Training and Technical Assistance

CARS is ideally suited to implement successful information and knowledge transfer through its publications, TA and training services and advance use of technology. Our TA and training design and management is meant to achieve a balance between proactively promoting evidence-based procedures, practices and skills that should be widely adopted, and responsively meeting the specific needs of service participants. CARS experience and procedures ensure that both sets of needs are adequately met. Generally, training tends to be more proactive and TA tends to be more responsive. However, it is most effective when training and TA activities are blended to achieve a balance between proactively disseminating and supporting evidence-based practices, and being responsive to the diverse training and TA needs of partcipants.

3. Promoting Change

All resource and training materials have a limited shelf life. Implementing change at any level (personal, organizational, or societal) is difficult. Change requires continuing supportive interactions that help participants through the necessary phases of a successful change process. One-time training or TA is not sufficient to infuse new ideas or actionsI into organizational procedure or individual behavior. To the extent feasible, CARS training and TA is designed to provide continuing support and reinforcement so that change is put into practice. Continuous capacity building and skill development is critical to long-term sustainability of innovation.

4. Fostering Information Sharing

Effective information sharing among multiple participants is a central contributor to dissemination of best practices, effective collaboration, and sustainability of innovation. It allows organizations and individuals to become mutual resources. Information sharing requires

• Continuous communication opportunitiesMultiple communication formats, and
• Explicit, structured processes for sharing information.

CARS has well developed capability for designing appropriate structures and successfully facilitating information sharing through a variety of formats. These include:

- Structuring opportunities for in-person sharing at appropriate venues (e.g., providing designated networking opportunities, using peer presenters, and using facilitated discussion groups at meetings and conferences).

5. Engaging in Participatory Learning

The fifth principle guiding CARS activities is a culmination of the preceding four. With an evidence-based perspective, useful and appropriately delivered TA and training, continuous support of positive innovation and change, and systems for information sharing, CARS facilitates the creation of dynamic and sustainable learning communities. These communities are energized as participants develop their own knowledge concerning effective policies, effective programs, and best practices specific to their intended outcomes and circumstances. The tools identified in the four preceding principles evolve into a learning community. These learning communities allow for deep discussion surrounding particular topics; interactive and hands-on activities; and the identification of lessons learned and best practices. The ability to engage in honest debate and critical inquiry that leads to collective understanding is a critical contribution of participatory learning.