NAWRS 2019 Workshop

Call for Proposals

There are many different approaches to alleviating poverty, each reflecting a nuanced understanding of the nature of the problem, the possible and best solutions, and the appropriate use of resources. Although human service programs have a common goal, to build up the lives and communities of those they serve, sometimes it is hard to see how the different frameworks overlap and to know how to apply research or lessons learned from a different but related area. There is value in reaching across lines to learn from and build on each other’s work, in order to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of all our efforts.

In addition to working together to define common goals, we also need reliable information about the outcomes of the individuals and families served by various programs in order to know whether those goals are being achieved. Despite having copious data, it is not always evident how to turn that data into meaningful information. NAWRS has traditionally convened researchers and human service stakeholders to bring data and ideas together and to encourage the understanding and sharing of findings, best practices, and innovations. The vision for the 2019 NAWRS conference is to continue this tradition and consider new collaborations from across different programs, policy areas, and research specialties that will build up the lives of those served through human services programs.

You can download a PDF version of the Call for Proposals here.

Thank you to everyone who submitted a proposal! Notifications will go out by May 1, 2019. Information about workshop registration will be available shortly.

NAWRS 2019 Workshop Sponsorship

Sponsors may exhibit at the 2019 NAWRS workshop and are promoted on electronic and print materials. Click on the options below to learn about sponsorship levels. Questions can be directed to NAWRSworkshop@gmail.com.

Please confirm your interest in sponsoring the NAWRS 2019 workshop by June 14, 2019.

Sponsor materials for the workshop program are requested by July 1, 2019. A representative of the NAWRS board will contact you with specifications for materials after you have signed up.

Click here to sign up to be a sponsor now.

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Resources for Members

NAWRS is a community of learning and exchange. We have provided some resources that may be of interest to our members. If you have additional resources you would like us to share, please email us at NAWRSWorkshop@gmail.com.

Research Academy

Since 2012, NAWRS has included a Research Academy designed to build the capacity of the state and local human service research community in its annual conference.  The Academy brings state and local administrators and researchers together with research and evaluation experts to discuss how to incorporate rigorous research methods, including random assignment experiments, into ongoing state and local efforts to improve and document the effectiveness of their programs.  The Research Academy typically includes sessions that:

• Present examples of the use of rigorous research methods, including random assignment experiments, to obtain information on program effectiveness 
• Highlight opportunities to use administrative data to support lower cost evaluation efforts
• Undertake rapid cycle evaluations to support real-time decision-making
• Engage participants in identifying current problems/issues that could be addressed by rigorous research
• Discuss barriers to state and local sponsorship of rigorous research and supports needed to address those barriers

See Research Academy presentations at past workshops by checking out the Previous Workshops section.

Research and Human Service Organizations

Previous Workshops

The first NAWRS workshop was in 1956 in Chicago. In all, researchers and administrators of the NAWRS community have gathered to discuss human services and poverty alleviation 55 times. Check out the program and presentations from our most recent workshops and trace the history of NAWRS from coast to coast.

NAWRS Board of Directors

NAWRS is governed by an all-volunteer, elected board. Board members make planning, administrative, and business decisions for the Organization. Members contribute to the planning and operation of each Annual Conference. They participate in planning the program, identifying workshops, and selecting speakers and presenters. To find out more about how to get involved, contact us at NAWRSWorkshop@gmail.com or visit the Get Involved section.

Michael Bono Tribute

Michael Bono joined the NAWRS Board of Directors in 2004 and served tirelessly as President in 2010 and again in 2014 and 2015. He continued to work on NAWRS behind the scenes until cancer took him from us in 2016. We are so grateful to have known this warm, selfless, charismatic dynamo with a boundless heart for the less fortunate.

We hope you enjoy this heart-warming tribute to Michael. Friends and colleagues shared some of their favorite memories during an informal gathering to honor him at the NAWRS 2017 Workshop in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Get Involved

Volunteer

NAWRS is an all-volunteer organization that relies on the time and commitment of its membership. Joining a committee is one great way to support NAWRS’s mission of bringing together research and practice. The standing committees are:

• Program Committee: Plan the program for the next NAWRS workshop
• Marketing and Volunteer Committee: Maintain the public presence of NAWRS, engage members in Association developments and activities, reach out to potential volunteers for the Association, and connect volunteers with opportunities that align with their interests and the Association’s needs
• Strategic Planning Committee: Work to develop a map for the future of NAWRS
• Conference Organization Committee: Coordinate all logistics for the NAWRS workshop
• Finance and Budget Committee: Strengthen NAWRS’ financial position through better practices for oversight and decision-making (Board members only)

Once you have some experience with NAWRS committees, you might consider running for a position on the Board. This “working Board” manages the Association and its activities. Members participate in monthly conference call meetings and attend annual or bi-annual in-person workshops. The benefits of being a Board member include close and direct contact with other research and evaluation professionals across the country and the ability to ensure representation of your state or organization in the planning of the NAWRS workshop. There are no monetary costs associated with Board membership beyond workshop attendance.

Are you interested? Reach out to NAWRSWorkshop@gmail.com and let us know a little about yourself and your interests! Thank you for supporting the NAWRS family.

Sponsor

Sponsoring organization are valuable supporters of NAWRS’s mission. Sponsors include research organizations, consulting and contracting firms, and other organization that want to get their name out there as steadfast supporters of the exchange of ideas and best practices in human services. You can view some of our most recent sponsors below. Sponsors are featured in the NAWRS workshop program and other marketing materials, receive space and support for tabling, are verbally acknowledged to workshop attendees by the NAWRS president, and are honored on the NAWRS website year-round. If you might be interested in sponsorship, check out information on NAWRS 2019 sponsorship. 

Donate

NAWRS is a 501(c)(3) non-profit association. The organization does not have an endowment and operates based on revenue from sponsors and workshop registrations. Donations support general Association operations and are tax deductible.

Pictures by Bright Sarfo of B-Right Productionz