Experts by Experience: How Engaging People with Lived Experience Can Improve Social Services

The application of lived experience to various aspects of program and policy development is ascendant in the social sector, but the evidence base hasn’t caught up. This Center for Behavioral Design and Social Justice report examines the benefits of including people with social service systems experience in designing, implementing and evaluating policies and programs. It highlights the role of “intersectional professionals” — individuals who have both personal and professional experience with the child welfare, juvenile justice and other human service systems.