Participants in a recent Child Trends Roundtable explored how evidence-based programs might be integrated into community initiatives to strengthen outcomes for children. Participants discussed both practice and policy implications for this approach. Those attending agreed that it was important for programs and initiatives to be based on research, but noted that many gaps exist in available research and that no one simple formula exists for improving child outcomes. Participants also noted that

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... ommunities and the initiatives that they implement differ in many ways. Consequently, evidence-based programs often need to be adapted to recognize these differences, while retaining core components and fidelity of implementation. Participants emphasized the need for programs to identify outcomes and to be data driven. While agreeing that integrating evidence-based programs into community initiatives is harder than it sounds, participants said that synergies were likely to result and that ways to integrate and align out-ofschool time programs with community initiatives need greater attention. Insights from this Roundtable provide valuable guidance to policymakers and foundations considering investments in similar initiatives and to communities seeking to build or improve a system of services for disadvantaged children and youth. BACKGROUND Across the country, communities have sought to incorporate strong out-of-school time programs for children. Increasingly, these communities have recognized the need to provide a spectrum of programs in sequence and to align these programs with community initiatives. This recognition generally reflects an understanding that participating in a single program often fails to produce a large or permanent change in the life trajectory of a disadvantaged child. Related to this is an understanding that the positive effects of being in a program can be undermined by a negative community environment. To enhance children's development, then, participation in a sequence of programs and experiencing positive community supports are needed. This awareness is sometimes based on research and sometimes based on the life experience of community members. Work that distills lessons is only beginning from the experiences of leaders and researchers, to inform policy and program decision making. To help advance work in this area, in January 2009, Child Trends brought together representatives from ten community initiatives that incorporate evidence-based and evidence-informed programs. These organizations are shown in the box on page six. ...An exploration of how evidence-based programs can be integrated into community interactions.