David Osher

Dr. Osher is managing research scientist at the American Institutes for Research, where his work focuses on knowledge use, prevention, and school/community-wide interventions for individuals with mental health problems and disorders and their families. His particular interests include collaboration, organizational change, family-driven services, and diversity.

Dr. Osher has nearly three decades of experience in examining and crafting effective prevention and treatment approaches. He directs the Center for Effective Collaboration and Practice, which facilitates Federal, state, and local collaboration and undertakes research, synthesis, and communication activities to improve practices for children with emotional and behavioral problems. He has consulted with state and local agencies across the nation and with many agencies within the U.S. Departments of Education, Health and Human Services, and Justice. Dr. Osher has authored or co-authored more than 225 books, monographs, chapters, articles, and reports and serves on many national advisory boards. His recent publications include Schools as Part of Systems of Care: Promising Practices in Children's Mental Health; Early Warning, Timely Responses: A Guide to Safe Schools; Safeguarding Our Children: An Action Guide; Working with and Teaching Students Who Have Emotional and Behavioral Challenges;and Wraparound: Stories From the Field. With his colleagues, Osher is currently completing A Resource Kit to Safe Schools; a study of individualized and coordinated services within systems of care, and briefs for family members on research-based interventions. Dr. Osher, who was dean of a liberal arts college and of two professional schools of human services, has taught at the City University of New York, Franconia College, New Hampshire College, Springfield College, and the University of Maryland. Dr. Osher received a PhD, M.Phil., AM, and AB from Columbia University.