The purpose of this action research project was to examine the screening and assessment behaviors of child welfare workers in the southwestern region of the United States. The study addressed whether social workers' knowledge of evidence-based practice influenced their implementation of evidence-based practice in child welfare screening and assessment, and whether the agency environment affects evidence-based practice implementation and use. The family systems theory was used to evaluate child welfare practitioner work and systems theory was used to evaluate the child welfare system in the region of the study. A focus group comprised of seven social workers practicing in the southwestern region was used to determine screening and assessment practices as well as agency factors that affect practice. Social workers' knowledge of evidence-based practices and agency environment were found to impact social workers' use of evidence-based practice. The overuse and misuse of evidence-based practice terminology confused the concept for social workers. This combined with the implementation approach in an agency setting led many of the social workers to avoid evidence-based models and revert to experiential practice knowledge. The client and agency behaviors interpreted in the findings might prompt future research and change to increase the use of evidence-based practice. Implications for social change resulting from these findings include the potential to improve evidence-based practice implementation by agencies and increase of social worker education and knowledge regarding evidence-based practice. These changes could affect greater social change with improved child welfare outcomes.

Translating research into practice takes 10 to 20 years or more. Evidence-based practice (EBP) integration remains at 10% to 20%, despite recommendations requiring EBP-guided decisions. Up to 30% decreases in health care system spending, improved quality outcomes, and increased staff satisfaction result from EBP integration. Nurse leaders, who rate quality and safety as the highest priority but EBP as the lowest, are accountable for EBP enculturation; a desire to support bedside registered nurses in EBP exists, yet this EBP use knowledge gap supersedes this goal. The purpose of this project was to provide an EBP education program introducing the use of evidence to guide nursing practice. The project question addressed whether an education program for staff nurses on introduction to EBP would increase nursing staff perception of the value of EBP and their interest in implementing EBP. Knowles's theory of adult learning and the nursing process guided this project. The 36 participants completed the16-question EBP Beliefs Scale before and after the education program on introduction to EBP. Results from the paired samples t tests showed there was a significant difference in each response on the survey, indicating an increased understanding of the fundamental value of EBP, as well as the participant's individual ability to implement EBP within clinical practice. The limited findings contribute to the existing body of knowledge, while positive social change implications include resolving public health and safety issues, reversing fiscal irresponsibility, and overcoming resistance to change, which is at the heart of implementing and enculturating EBP.