An interdisciplinary, university-community, applied developmental science partnership

This paper describes the Policy and Evaluation Project (PEP) of the University of Pittsburgh Office of Child Development (OCD), an unusual university-based, public-private, interdisciplinary regional resource and management unit that emphasizes university-community partnerships. The Policy and Evaluation Project provides technical assistance to community agencies and conducts program evaluations, needs assessments, and policy studies in a participatory and empowerment manner. It represents one type of organization and activity that promotes and conducts applied developmental science. Issues, benefits, and liabilities of operating in this style are discussed.