Science Based-Solutions to Promote Child and Adolescent Well-being

by Gina Cardazone

"We don't know everything, but we know enough." This simple statement sums up so much that is true about prevention research. While it is accurate that there is much more research to be done before we truly understand the mechanisms behind preventing negative outcomes and promoting well-being, we do know enough that there is absolutely no reason why we shouldn't be funding and supporting successful prevention programs on a large scale.

Transdisciplinary Translation Prevention Research Model

There is no politician in America (or anywhere else, I'd imagine), that would take a stance against promoting the well-being of children and adolescents. Yet when it comes to taking action to ensure that every child gets a healthy start in life, policy makers often lag behind the expectations of researchers and others who know that there are proven steps that can be taken to further that goal.

The Coalition for Science-Based Solutions to Promote Child and Adolescent Well-being is a recently formed association of researchers, educators, community stakeholders, practitioners, policy makers, advocates, and foundation representatives who share the common belief that when it comes to promoting healthy development and preventing negative outcomes for children and adolescents:

(1) more knowledge is needed, but
(2) we know enough to exert an impact

Coalition members are dedicated to promoting transdisciplinary translation research in order to address the first point, and on the second, to act on our current knowledge by implementing and scaling evidence-based programs and policies. At the helm of Dr. Diana Fishbein, the originator of the opening quote of this post and the new Director of the Center for Translational Research on Adversity, Neurodevelopment, and Substance Abuse (C-TRANS) at the University of Maryland, the Coalition is off to an extremely promising start. So far, the nascent association has, among other accomplishments: hosted an NIH-funded conference, titled "Advancing Transdisciplinary Translation for Prevention of High-Risk Behaviors," published a special issue on translation prevention research in Prevention Science, produced congressional briefings for Capitol Hill, and developed a website at www.ttpr.org

Those interested in joining the Coalition or otherwise supporting this effort can use the contact form at http://www.ttpr.org/index.php/about-us/contact , or email us at compsychpractice@gmail.com for more information.