Recent Publications

· Crampton, D., Usher, C., Wildfire, J., Webster, D. & Cuccaro-Alamin, S. (2011). Does community and family engagement enhance permanency for children in foster care? Findings from an evaluation of the Family to Family initiative. Child Welfare, 90 (4), 61 - 77.

· Greeson, J. K.P., Usher, L. & Grinstein-Weiss, M. (2010). One adult who is crazy about you: Can natural mentoring relationships increase assets among young adults with and without foster care experience? Children and Youth Services Review, 32, 565-577.

· Crea, T., Wildfire, J., and Usher, C. (2009). The association of team composition and meeting characteristics with foster care placement recommendations. Journal of Social Services Research, 35(4), 297-311.

· Crea, T., Usher, C. & Wildfire, J. (2009). Implementation fidelity of Team Decisionmaking. Children and Youth Services Review, 31, 119 - 124.

· Crampton, D., Crea, T., Abramson-Madden, A. & Usher, C. (2008). Challenges of street-level child welfare reform: The case of Team Decisionmaking. Families in Society, 89, 512 - 520.

· Crea, T. M., Crampton, D. S., Abramson-Madden, A., and Usher, C. L. (2008). Variability in the implementation of Team Decisionmaking (TDM): Scope and compliance with the Family to Family practice model. Children & Youth Services Review, 30, 1221-1232.

· Usher, C.L. (2008). Experimental and quasi-experimental research. Encyclopedia of Social Work, 20^th ed. Mizrahi, T. & Davis, L. (Eds.).  New York:  Oxford University Press.

· Webster, D., Usher, C.L., Needell, B. & Wildfire, J.B. (2008). Self-evaluation: Using data to guide policy and practice in public child welfare agencies. Child Welfare Research. Shlonsky, A. & Lindsey, D. (Eds.). New York: Oxford University Press.

· Brisson, D. & Usher, C.L. (2007). Conceptualizing and measuring bonding social capital in low-income neighborhoods. Journal of Social Service Research, 34: 1 – 11.

· Brisson, D.B. & Usher, C.L. (2007).  The effects of informal neighborhood bonding social capital and neighborhood context on home ownership for families living in poverty.  Journal of Urban Affairs, 29, 65-75.

· Meier, Andrea & Usher, Charles L. (2006). New approaches to program evaluation, in Richard L. Edwards & John A. Yankey (Eds.), Effectively Managing Nonprofit Organizations. Washington: NASW Press.

· Brisson, D.B. & Usher, C.L. (2005).  Low-income neighborhoods and bonding social capital. Family Relations,54, 644-653.

· Nelson, G.M., Meier, A. & Usher, C.L. (2005). System reform and community development. in Marie O. Weil (Ed.), Handbook of Community Practice. Newbury Park, CA: Sage Publications.

· Usher, C.L. (2004).  Measuring and evaluating the effectiveness of services for families and children.  In Albert R. Roberts & Kenneth R. Yeager (Eds.) Evidence-Based Practice Manual:  Research and Outcome Measures in Health and Human Services. New York: Oxford University Press.

· Usher, C.L. & Wildfire, J.B. (2003).  Evidenced-based practice in community-based child welfare systems.  Child Welfare, 82, 597-614.

· Usher, C. L., Locklin, E., Wildfire, J. & Harris, C. (2001).  Child welfare performance ratings:  One state's approach.  Administration in Social Work, 25, 35-51.  

· Usher, C. L. (1999). From social experiments to reform initiatives: Implications for designing and conducting evaluations. Protecting Children, 15, 4-9.

· Usher, C. L., Randolph, K. A., & Gogan, H. C. (1999). Placement patterns in foster care. Social Service Review, 73, 22-36.

· Usher, C. L., Wildfire, J. B., and Gibbs, D. A. (1999). Measuring performance in child welfare: Secondary effects of success. Child Welfare, 78, 31-51.