As our evaluation of the certificate program developed by Rutgers University’s Center for Research on Ending Violence in partnership with the New Jersey Department of Children and Families (DCF) continues, our team has moved into the next phase of qualitative data collection and analysis.
Building on the initial set of interviews conducted with child welfare professionals, we are continuing to engage participants to further explore emerging themes. These additional interviews are helping us deepen our understanding of how the certificate program is experienced in practice, including how participants apply the knowledge and skills gained through the training in their day-to-day work.
At the same time, our team has begun drafting the final evaluation report. This process involves synthesizing findings across interviews and identifying key themes related to program implementation, strengths, and areas for growth. As we integrate new data from ongoing interviews, we are refining these themes to ensure that the report captures both the depth and complexity of participants’ experiences.
These concurrent efforts—continuing qualitative data collection while beginning report development—allow us to build a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the program’s impact. The final report will highlight both the ways in which the certificate program supports child welfare professionals in responding to family violence and opportunities for strengthening and expanding the program moving forward.
We are deeply grateful to all participants who have shared their time, experiences, and insights throughout this process. Their perspectives are essential to ensuring that the evaluation accurately reflects the realities of child welfare practice. We also appreciate the continued engagement of those participating in follow-up interviews, which are helping to strengthen the depth and rigor of our findings.
We look forward to sharing additional updates as we continue this work and move closer to finalizing the evaluation.