Applied integral methodological pluralism: Designing comprehensive social services program evaluation and research

The Restorative Integral Support (RIS) model is an application of Integral Theory developed at the Committee on the Shelterless (COTS) to integrate and translate research on adverse childhood experiences and resiliency into practice. Applying RIS, COTS designed a response to adverse childhood experiences that integrated services within the context of intentionally developed healthy environments and relationships that support whole-person programs (Larkin & Records, 2007). It is suggested that as a theoretically based model, grounded in research taking client characteristics into account, RIS is a useful development to address gaps in homeless services evaluation and research. Service outcomes action research (SOAR), a team-based research partnership that could be enhanced through Integral Methodological Pluralism, is proposed as a fitting way to conduct evaluation at COTS and ongoing research on the RIS model. In this way, an integrally enacted SOAR could facilitate social change by opening collaborative pathways of data exchange within and beyond organizations such as COTS. The data-informed practice process (DIPP) offered through SOAR could strengthen the RIS model in diverse agencies, bringing forth the future of Integral Theory in social service.