The fusion of culture and science: Challenges and controversies of cultural competency and evidence-based practice with an African American family advocacy network

Abstract

This paper identifies interrelationships between evidence-based practice (EBP), radical structuralism, and culture, arguing that culturally-specific beliefs and norms should be integrated into evidence-based, cross-cultural partnerships within child and family service systems. A single case study of family advocate training in evidence-based practice is provided as an illustration of, and impetus for, the development of a format for use with community-based and ethnically-diverse parent/family advocates. The lessons learned from teaching evidence-based practice to a parent advocate in a particular child welfare service system are highlighted. The use of enhanced roles for social workers and indigenous social capital and resources, such as family advocates as allies, is recommended to help achieve a greater degree of accountability, cooperation, and core understanding in the use of EBP. By training racially-diverse foster parents as mental health advocates to work collaboratively with policymakers, community groups, and family participants, proponents of EBP will reach and benefit more diverse populations.