MATT DAVIS portrait
  • Adjunct Assistant Professor, Psychiatry
  • Research Associate Professor, Population Health Sciences
801-583-2500

Research Statement

Poor quality implementation and fidelity to evidence-based interventions is a long-standing challenge to providing effective social service interventions. Dr. Davis’ work focuses on using methods from implementation science, evidence-based training approaches, technology (including virtual reality) and continuous quality improvement frameworks to improve the effectiveness of social services. 

Research Keywords

  • Virtual Reality
  • Juvenile Justice
  • Implementation Science
  • Evidence Based Training
  • Child Welfare

Presentations

  • McDonald, C. & Davis, M.J. (2019, October). Using virtual reality training to create valid child welfare skills learning environments. The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) Annual Program Meeting. Denver, Colorado. Conference Paper, Refereed, Presented, 10/25/2019.
  • Davis, M. J., & Mills, C. (2019, August). Findings and Lessons Learned from the Utah Waiver Evaluation. Title IV-E Waiver Demonstration 2019 Annual Meeting. Children’s Bureau. Washington DC. Conference Paper, Presented, 08/22/2019.
  • Davis, M. J., McDonald, C., Whitaker, D. J., Sage, M. & Miller, J. (2019, August). Evaluation and IT in Child Welfare: What is on the Horizon and What Are the Implications for Agencies, Children and Families. 2019 National Child Welfare Evaluation Summit. Washington, DC. Conference Paper, Refereed, Presented, 08/20/2019.
  • McDonald, C. & Davis, M.J. (2019, August). Virtual Reality Training and Defining Competency – A Central Problem. 2019 National Child Welfare Evaluation Summit. Washington, DC. Conference Paper, Refereed, Presented, 08/20/2019.
  • Davis, M. J., & McDonald, C. (2018, September). Virtual Reality Training for Creating Expert Child Welfare Workers. International Society for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect XXII International Congress on Child Abuse and Neglect. Prague, Czechia. Conference Paper, Refereed, Presented, 03/04/2019.
  • Davis, M.J. & McDonald, C. (2019, January). Using Virtual Reality to Gain Competence in Identifying Threats to Safety and Protective Factors During Home Visitation in Child Welfare: Feasibility, Usability, and Acceptability Results. 2019 Annual Conference for the Society for Social Work Research. San Francisco, CA. Conference Paper, Refereed, Presented, 01/18/2019.
  • Lundahl, B., Davis, M., Cheng, J., Amburgey, V., & Steinacker, D. (2019, January) Promoting Engagement and Satisfaction Among Child Protective Service Recipients: Combining Motivational Interviewing and Deliberate Practice. 2019 Annual Conference for the Society for Social Work Research. San Francisco, CA. Conference Paper, Refereed, Presented, 01/17/2019.
  • McDonald, C. & Davis, M.J. (2018, July). Virtual Reality Training: The Utah approach. The Capacity Center for States’ Child Welfare Virtual Expo. Invited Talk/Keynote, Accepted, 07/12/2018.
    https://capacity.childwelfare.gov/virtualexpo/
  • McDonald, C., Davis, M.J. & Vanderloo, M.J. (2018, May). Evaluating the use of virtual reality in child welfare skills training. 21st Annual National Human Services Training Evaluation Symposium (NHSTES). Berkeley, CA. Conference Paper, Refereed, Presented, 05/23/2018.
  • McDonald, C. & Davis, M.J. (2018, July). Considerations in Using Virtual Reality for Complex Skills Development Among Child Welfare Trainees. Annual Social Work Distance Education Conference. San Antonio, Texas. Conference Paper, Refereed, Accepted, 04/11/2018.
  • McDonald, C. & Davis, M.J. (2018, April). Considerations in Using Virtual Reality for Complex Skills Development Among Child Welfare Trainees. Annual Social Work Distance Education Conference. San Antonio, TX. Conference Paper, Refereed, Presented, 04/11/2018.
  • Davis, M.J., Vanderloo, M.J., & Tanana, M.J. (2018, January). Implementation lessons from a system wide effort to reduce foster care use in the Utah child welfare system. 32nd Annual San Diego International Conference on Child and Family Maltreatment. San Diego, CA. Conference Paper, Refereed, Presented, 01/30/2018.
  • O’Connor, A.B. & Davis, M.J. (2018, January). Measuring how evidence-based assessment leads to comprehensive planning: An example from a Title IV-E child welfare demonstration. 2018 Annual Conference for the Society for Social Work Research. Washington, D.C. Conference Paper, Refereed, Presented, 01/14/2018.
  • Vanderloo, M.J., Davis, M.J., & Tanana, M.J. (2018, January). Worker characteristics and their effects on implementation and child welfare outcomes: Lessons learned, insights, and implications. 2018 Annual Conference for the Society for Social Work Research. Washington, D.C. Conference Paper, Refereed, Presented, 01/13/2018.
  • Vanderloo, M.J., Fluke, J., & Davis, M.J. (2017, May) How Caseworker Characteristics Can Subvert Intended Outcomes of Training. National Human Services Training Evaluation Symposium. Louisville, KY. Conference Paper, Refereed, Presented, 05/24/2017.
  • Tanana, M.J. & Davis, M.J. (2017, May). A workshop on using evaluation results: The Utah approach. National Human Services Training Evaluation Symposium. Louisville, KY. Other, Presented, 05/23/2017.
  • Davis, M.J. (2017, March). Using Decision Support Data Systems to Guide Implementation of Evidence Based Services. 30th Annual Research and Policy Conference, Child, Adolescent, and Youth Adult Behavioral Health. Tampa, FL. Symposium Chair. Conference Paper, Refereed, Presented, 03/07/2017.
  • Davis, M. J. & Vanderloo, M.J. (2016, September) Implementation Science and Decision Making in Child Welfare- Using Implementation Science and Continuous Quality Assurance to Increase Program Effectiveness. XIV International Bi-Annual Conference of the European Scientific Association on Residential & Family Care for Children and Adolescents. Oviedo, Spain. Conference Paper, Refereed, Presented, 09/01/2016.
  • Davis, M. J. (2016, September). Principles and examples from Utah. Principles and examples for using internet based dashboards. Title IV-E Waiver Demonstration. Washington DC. Presentation, Presented, 09/01/2016.
  • Vanderloo, M.J., O’Connor, A.B. & Davis, M.J. (2016, May) Lessons Learned from a Statewide Implementation of a CANS Assessment. National Title IV-E Roundtable. Salt Lake City, UT. Conference Paper, Refereed, Presented, 05/02/2016.
  • Tanana, M.J., Vanderloo, M.J., Davis, M.J., West, K., Byrne, K., & Amburgey, K. (2016, May) Technology and Engagement: Evaluating IV-E Residential Programs. National Title IV-E Roundtable. Salt Lake City, UT. Conference Paper, Refereed, Presented, 05/02/2016.
  • Davis, M.J. (2015, November). I’m getting coached: Why me and how can I use it to become an expert worker. Division of Child and Family Services Child Welfare Institute. Provo, Utah. Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 10/01/2015.
  • Davis, M.J., & Tanana, M.J. (2015, October). Social Research Institute in Asia. University of Utah, Songdo campus. Songdo, Korea. Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 10/01/2015.
  • Tanana, M.J., Davis, M.J., Vanderloo, M., & West, K. (2015, May). Scaling up program evaluation: How to use technology to provide real time feedback. Paper presented at the National Human Services Training Evaluation Symposium 18th Annual Meeting. Salt Lake City, UT. Conference Paper, Refereed, Presented, 05/01/2015.
  • Davis, M.J. (2015, May). Evidenced based coaching: A recipe for reliably creating expert child welfare workers. Keynote at Division of Child and Family Services Annual Supervisor Conference. Salt Lake City, Utah. Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 05/01/2015.
  • Davis, M.J., Tanana, M.J. & Vanderloo, M. (2014, January). DCFS program improvement project. Presentation to Division of Children and Family Services administration. Salt Lake City, Utah. Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 01/01/2014.
  • Davis, M.J. & Tanana, M.J. (2013, October). Improving juvenile justice programming. Presentation to the Justice Center from the Council of State Government. Salt Lake City, Utah. Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 10/01/2013.
  • Tanana, M.J. & Davis, M.J. (2012, November). Measuring Change in Anti-Social Attitudes and Behaviors in Juveniles. Paper presented at the American Society of Criminology Annual Meeting. Chicago, IL. Conference Paper, Refereed, Presented, 11/01/2012.
  • Davis, M. J. (2012, October). Youth well-being: Examination of risk and protective factors in juvenile delinquency and accessing effective behavioral community interventions. Presentation at the Critical Issues Conference, Salt Lake City, Utah. Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 10/01/2012.
  • Davis, M. J. (2012, October). Risk and Protective Factor Indicators for Utah Youth and the Yellow Pages for Youth: 2012 Update. Utah Board of Juvenile Justice Annual Retreat, Salt Lake City, UT. Presentation, Presented, 10/01/2012.
  • Davis, M. J. (2012, August). Innovative methods for training Interpersonal Reconstructive Therapy clinicians. In K. Critchfield (Chair), Focus on internalized attachments: Theory and research in Interpersonal Reconstructive Therapy. Symposium conducted at the 120th Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association. Orlando, Florida. Conference Paper, Refereed, Presented, 08/01/2012.
  • Davis, M. J. & Tanana, M.J. (2012, August). An overview of the UCJC program evaluation approach: the CROSS program. The Utah Executive Office & Criminal Justice Appropriations Subcommittee. Salt Lake City, Utah. Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 08/01/2012.
  • Davis, M. J. & Lizon, R. (2012, June). Implementing an effective program evaluation and improvement process. Presentation at the Measuring Realignment: Using data for management and evaluation at the local and state level conference. Crime and Justice Institute. Sacramento, CA. Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 06/01/2012.
    http://www.crj.org/cji/entry/project_carealignment
  • Davis, M. J. (2012, May). Two New On-line Resources for Helping Youth: The Risk and Protective Factor and the Program Directory Tools. University of Utah Neuropsychiatric Institute, Salt Lake City, UT. Presentation, Presented, 05/01/2012.
  • Davis, M. J. & Tanana, M.J. (2012, March). CCJJ Program Evaluation and Improvement: CROSS. Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice Annual Meeting, Salt Lake City, UT. Presentation, Presented, 03/01/2012.
  • Davis, M. J. (2011, October). Risk and Protective Factor Indicators for Utah Youth: 2011 Update. Utah Board of Juvenile Justice Annual Retreat, Salt Lake City, UT. Presentation, Presented, 10/03/2011.
  • Davis, M. J. (2011, April). Update on the Green River Drug and Violence Prevention Program. Utah Board of Juvenile Justice, Salt Lake City, UT. Presentation, Presented, 04/01/2011.
  • Davis, M. J. (2011, March). What is the UBJJ Program Evaluation? Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice Annual Meeting, Salt Lake City, UT. Presentation, Presented, 03/01/2011.
  • Davis, M. J. (2011, February). Update on UBJJ Program Evaluation and Improvement Project. Utah Board of Juvenile Justice, Salt Lake City, UT. Presentation, Presented, 02/01/2011.
  • Davis, M. J., Tanana, M., & Vanderloo, M. (2010, October) Risk and Protective Factor Indicators for Utah Youth: 2010 Update. Utah Board of Juvenile Justice Annual Retreat, Salt Lake City, UT. Presentation, Presented, 10/01/2010.
  • Vanderloo, M. & Davis, M. J. (2010, August). The pre-CPC. Utah Juvenile Court Research Steering Committee. Salt Lake City, Utah. Presentation, Presented, 08/02/2010.
  • Davis, M. J. & Tanana, M. (2009, March). UBJJ’s Risk and Protective Factor Information Tool (RAPIT). Utah Office of the Governor’s Gang Task Force. Salt Lake City, Utah. Presentation, Presented, 02/02/2009.
  • Davis, M. J. & Tanana, M. (2008, October). Risk and protective factor review. 2008. Utah Board of Juvenile Justice Annual Retreat, Salt Lake City, UT. Presentation, Presented, 10/01/2008.
  • Critchfield, K. L., Davis, M. J., Gunn, H. E., & Benjamin, L. S. (2008, June). Measuring therapist adherence in Interpersonal Reconstructive Therapy (IRT): Conceptual framework, reliability, and validity. Poster presented at 39th Annual Meeting of the Society of Psychotherapy Research. Barcelona, Spain. Conference Paper, Refereed, Presented, 06/24/2008.
  • Davis, M. J., Critchfield, K. L., MacKenzie, J., & Benjamin, L. S. (2008, June). Conceptualizing and illustrating stages of change in Interpersonal Reconstructive Therapy (IRT). 39th Annual Meeting of the Society of Psychotherapy Research. Barcelona, Spain. Conference Paper, Refereed, Presented, 06/23/2008.
  • Davis, M. J. (2008, February) UBJJ evaluation system: Suggested changes. Utah Board of Juvenile Justice. Salt Lake City, UT. Presentation, Presented, 02/01/2008.
  • Garff, R. & Davis, M. J. (2008, January) UBJJ evaluation: An overview. The Utah Executive Office & Criminal Justice Appropriations Subcommittee. Utah Legislature 2008 General Session. Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 01/01/2008.
  • Davis, M. J. (2007, December) UBJJ evaluation: Results for 2007. Utah Board of Juvenile Justice. Salt Lake City, UT. Presentation, Presented, 12/03/2007.
  • Davis, M. J. & Lundell, K. (2007, October) Risk and Protective Factor Indicators for Utah Youth: 2007 Update. Utah Board of Juvenile Justice, Salt Lake City, UT. Presentation, Presented, 10/01/2007.
  • Davis, M. J. (2006, November) UBJJ program evaluation: 2006. Utah Board of Juvenile Justice. Orem, UT. Presentation, Presented, 11/01/2006.
  • Davis, M. J. (2006, October). Program evaluation: The evolving approach of Utah’s SAG. Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention 2006 West and Midwest Training. Salt Lake City, Utah. Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 10/02/2006.
  • Davis, M. J. (2006, October) Risk and Protective Factor Indicators for Utah Youth: 2006 Update. Utah Board of Juvenile Justice. Orem, UT. Presentation, Presented, 10/02/2006.
  • Davis, M. J. (2006, August) Differences in Risk and Protective Factor Profiles for Youth who Gamble. Utah Board of Juvenile Justice. Salt Lake City, UT. Presentation, Presented, 08/01/2006.
  • Davis, M. J. (2006, June). Using interactive learning technology to enhance acquisition of complex therapy skills: The “pre-flight trainer” for Interpersonal Reconstructive Therapy. Society for Psychotherapy Research, Annual Meeting 2006, Edinburgh, Scotland. Conference Paper, Refereed, Presented, 06/12/2006.
  • Davis, M. J. (2006, April). A continuous outcome monitoring system for the Utah Board of Juvenile Justice. Association for Government Accountants. Park City, Utah. Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 04/03/2006.
  • Davis, M. J. (2006, March). Two proposed tools to increase evidence based programming. Utah Board of Juvenile Justice. Salt Lake City, UT. Presentation, Presented, 03/01/2006.
  • Davis, M. J., Lundell, K. (2005, October). UBJJ program evaluation: 2005. Utah Board of Juvenile Justice. Salt Lake City, UT. Presentation, Presented, 10/03/2005.
  • Van Vleet, R. V. & Davis, M. J. (2005, May). The impact of the state supervision sanction: A review of the NIJ and AOC studies. Utah Juvenile Court Judges Conference, Bryce Canyon, UT. Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 05/02/2005.
  • Davis, M. J. and Roth, B. (2005, March). Utah Peace Institute: Risk and protective factors for war refugee youth. Utah Board of Juvenile Justice. Salt Lake City, UT. Presentation, Presented, 03/01/2005.
  • Van Vleet, R. V. and Davis, M. J. (2005, February). The impact of the state supervision sanction: A review of the NIJ and AOC studies. Utah Juvenile Court Trial Executives and Chief Probation Officers monthly meeting. Farmington, UT. Presentation, Presented, 02/01/2005.
  • Davis, M. J. and Martine, L. L. (2004, December). L.E.M.Y.: Legal equity for minority youth. Utah Board of Juvenile Justice. Salt Lake City, UT. Presentation, Presented, 12/01/2004.
  • Davis, M. J. (2004, October). Risk and protective factors and other indicators of population needs: Utah youth. Utah Board of Juvenile Justice. Salt Lake City, UT. Presentation, Presented, 10/01/2004.
  • Davis, M. J. (2004, August). Profile of program participant’s risk and protective factors for the past three years for UBJJ funded programs. Utah Board of Juvenile Justice. Salt Lake City, UT. Presentation, Presented, 08/02/2004.
  • Davis, M. J. (2004, July). UBJJ program evaluation: The evolving implementation. Utah Board of Juvenile Justice. Salt Lake City, UT. Presentation, Presented, 07/01/2004.
  • Davis, M. J. (2003, November). Targeted risk and protective factor prevention and intervention: The example of Brigham City. Utah Board of Juvenile Justice. Salt Lake City, UT. Presentation, Presented, 11/03/2003.
  • Davis, M. J. (2003, June). UBJJ program evaluation: 2003. Utah Board of Juvenile Justice. Salt Lake City, UT. Presentation, Presented, 06/02/2003.
  • Davis, M. J. (2002, June). UBJJ program evaluation: 2002. Utah Board of Juvenile Justice. Salt Lake City, UT. Presentation, Presented, 06/03/2002.
  • Van Vleet, R. V. and Davis, M. J. (2001, May). The Utah juvenile sentencing guidelines. Quarterly meeting of the Juvenile Justice Subcommittee, the Utah Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice, Office of the Governor. Salt Lake City, UT. Presentation, Presented, 05/01/2001.
  • Davis, M. J. & Byrnes, E. C. (2000, June). The National Institute of Justice juvenile sentencing guidelines study: Final results. Utah Division of Youth Corrections Annual State Conference, Park City, UT. Conference Paper, Refereed, Presented, 06/01/2000.
  • Van Vleet, R. V. & Davis, M. J. (2000, May). The impact of an early intervention mandate: The juvenile sentencing guidelines and intermediate sanctions in Utah. Utah Juvenile Court Judges Annual Conference, Springdale, UT. Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 05/01/2000.
  • Davis, M. J., Hammond, N. & the Youth Advisory Board members (1998, September). The Neighborhood Action Coalition’s Youth Advisory Board: A youth run prevention program. Salt Lake Area Gang Conference, Salt Lake City, UT. Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 09/01/1998.

Grants, Contracts & Research Gifts

  • Yellow Pages for Youth. PI: Davis, Matthew James. Salt Lake County Services, 02/01/2012 - 11/01/2012. Total project budget to date: $5,000.00
  • Evaluation of the Comprehensive Gang Model. PI: Butters, Rob. Co-PI(s): Davis, Matthew James. Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice, 07/01/2011 - 06/29/2012. Total project budget to date: $59,000.00
  • Evaluation of Offenders Placed at Rite of Passage. PI: Van Vleet, Russell, K. Co-PI(s): Davis, Matthew James. Rite of Passage, 02/01/2005 - 12/01/2005. Total project budget to date: $20,000.00
  • Utah Board of Juvenile Justice Outcome Evaluation. PI: Van Vleet, Russell K. Co-PI(s): Davis, Matthew James. Utah Board of Juvenile Justice, 07/01/2002 - 06/29/2012. Total project budget to date: $325,000.00
  • Out of State Placements for Juvenile Offenders in DYC Custody. PI: Van Vleet, Russell K. Utah Division of Juvenile Justice Services, 07/01/2002 - 06/30/2003. Total project budget to date: $40,000.00
  • An evaluation of Utah’s Early Intervention Mandate: The Juvenile Sentencing Guidelines and Intermediate Sanctions. PI: Van Vleet, Russell K. National Institute of Justice, 10/01/1998 - 09/28/2001. Total project budget to date: $250,000.00
  • Substance use disorder treatment training certificate program. PI: Jason Castillo. Health Resources and Services Administration, Co-Investigator, 10/01/2017 - 09/30/2021. Total project budget to date: $1,200,000.00

Publications

  • Matthew James Davis, Kristen West, Mindy Vanderloo, Allison O’Conner, Michael Tanana, Rob Hopkins, Jenny Cheng, Sarah Anderson, John Fluke, Mary Armstrong, Amy Vargo, Melissa Johnson, Anna Abella, Richard Fowles & Robbi Poulson (2019). Utah Title IV-E Demonstration Project Final Evaluation Report. (pp. 601). Utah Division of Child and Family Services. Published, 05/01/2019.
    https://dcfs.utah.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/I...
  • Davis, M.J., Armstrong, M.I., Vargo, A., Tanana, M.J., O’Connor, A.B., Fowles, R., Johnson, M.H., Vanderloo, M.J., Hopkins, R., West, K.A., Poulsen, R., Fluke, J.D., & Sowell, C. (2016). Utah Title IV-E demonstration project interim evaluation report. Washington D.C.: Children’s Bureau. Published, 10/03/2016.
  • Tanana, M., Davis, M., Castillo, J., & Próspero, M. (2011). Legal representation and education for minority youth intervention. Journal of Forensic Social Work, 1(2), 110-123. Published, 02/01/2011.
  • Davis, M. J. & Critchfield, K. (2010). Practicing Deliberately: Could we all be expert therapists? Psychotherapy Bulletin, 45 (2), 7-11. Published, 02/01/2010.
  • Lambert, M. J., Davis, M. J., Morton, J. & Williams, D. (2001). Assessment for change in residential care. In R. D. Hill, B. Thorn, J. Bowling, & A. Morrison (Eds.), Working with Older Adults in Residential Care: A Psychosocial Perspective. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum & Associates. Published, 02/01/2001.
  • Lambert, M. J. & Davis, M. J. (2001). Psychotherapy outcomes in depressive illness: What the current research says. In M. A. Reinecke & B. Cohler (Eds.), Comparative Treatment for Depression. New York: Springer. Published, 02/01/2001.
  • Van Vleet, R. V., Davis, M. J., DeWitt, J., Byrnes, E. C., & Barusch, A. (2001). An evaluation of Utah’s early intervention mandate: The juvenile sentencing guidelines and intermediate sanctions. Washington D.C.: National Institute of Justice. Published, 01/01/2001.
  • Lambert, M. J. & Davis, M. J. (2000). The effectiveness of psychotherapy. In D. G. Benner & P. E. Hill (Eds.), Baker Encyclopedia of Psychology (2nd ed.). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House. Published, 02/01/2000.