Research Projects - Center for Research to Transform Systems for Family, Community & Social Justice

Promoting child & family well-being through prevention, intervention & system change



Current Research Projects

  • ABC Early Childhood Initiative

    • PI: Mendenhall, A.N., Co-PI: Grube, Whitney • Sponsor: United Methodist Health Ministry Fund • Dates: 5/1/17 to 4/30/24

  • Child Sexual Abuse Prevention

    • PI: Barton, Jared; Co-PI: Byers, Kaela • Sponsor: Missouri Children's Trust Fund • Dates: 4/1/21-12/31/25

  • Evaluation for Kansas Family First Prevention Services

    • PI: Byers, Kaela; Co-PIs: Akin, Becci; & Mendenhall, Amy; Gartska, Teri; & Barton, Jared • Sponsor: Kansas Department for Children and Families • Dates: 10/01/2019 - 6/30/2023

  • Examination & Predictors of Youth Absent from Care

    • PI: Byers, Kaela; Co-PIs: Barton, Jared & Akin, Becci • Sponsor: TFI Family Services, Inc. • Dates: 9/1/2020-8/31/2021

  • Fatherhood – Family-focused, Interconnected, Resilient & Essential (Fatherhood …

    • PI: Barton, J.; Co-PIs: Byers, Kaela & Akin, Becci • Sponsor: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families Office of Family Assistance • Dates: 10/1/2020-9/30/2025

  • Kansas Invests in Families (KinVest)

    • PI: Akin, Becci; Co-PIs: Brown, Amanda & Byers, Kaela • Sponsor: U.S. DHHS Administration for Children & Families Children’s Bureau • Dates: 10/1/2021-9/29/2026

  • Kansas Strong for Children & Families (Kansas Strong)

    • PI: Akin, Becci; Co-PI: Byers, Kaela • Sponsor: U.S. DHHS Administration for Children & Families Children’s Bureau • Dates: 10/1/18 to 9/1/23

  • Missouri Safe Sleep Initiative

    • PI: Naemi Jimenez, Pegah; Co-PIs: Barton, Jared & Byers, Kaela • Sponsor: Missouri Children’s Trust Fund (CTF) • Dates: 10/1/21-6/30/25

  • Results-Oriented Management (ROM)

    • PI: Barton, Jared

  • Universal Prevention for Strong and Thriving Families (Family Strong)

    • PI: Byers, Kaela; Co-PIs: Cizek, Megan; Barton, Jared; Grube, Whitney; & Akin, Becci • Sponsor: U.S. DHHS Administration for Children and Families Children’s Bureau • Dates: 10/1/2021-9/29/2026