title: Agenda for children and youth: linking research, policy, and practice.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In this past century, we have made significant strides in our understanding of children's needs, but there is still much to learn as we enter the coming century. We must seek this new knowledge not only for the sake of knowing, but also for the sake of making change, ensuring that what we learn helps improve the future for our children and youth. These efforts require a strong link between policy, practice, and research.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Research partnerships can build our base of knowledge and help answer emerging policy and practice questions. Through research that focuses on the diversity and developmental phases of children, we can bring policy and practice into line with an increasingly refined understanding of children and their needs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Because nurses look at the holistic needs of individuals, it is critical that they are involved in setting the social service research agenda and seeking ways that policy and practice can both inform and be informed by this research.
authors.affiliation: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, DC, USA. pmontoya@acf.dhhs.gov
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Montoya
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D016497:Adolescent Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development; D002662:Child Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D002669:Child Welfare; D005544:Forecasting; D006291:Health Policy; D006302:Health Services Research / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D020380:Needs Assessment / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014481:United States