About Us
Innovations Institute is a leader in building effective public-serving systems to improve the well-being of and ensure vibrant futures for children, youth, their families, and communities. Our programs touch nearly every state and territory in the country and, through online and in person training, we have trained over 80,000 practitioners in child welfare, children’s behavioral health, and other child- and family-serving systems. The impact of this work is improved quality and effectiveness of public-serving systems that are responsive to unique needs of young people and their families from all communities, cultures, and experiences.
Vision
We believe we can achieve a world where all families thrive in their communities, and the work of child-, youth-, and family-serving systems is grounded in research and implementation science, authentic partnerships, and meaningful representation of youth and families.
Mission
Innovations Institute advances research-based, community-centered, effective, and transformative solutions for child-, youth-and family-serving systems and agencies, and supports the workforce within these systems.
Our Approach
We collaborate with partners and stakeholders at national, state, and local levels to address some of the most challenging human service issues of our time for and with children, youth, young adults, and their families. We do this through implementation science (a set of activities that facilitate the uptake and sustainability of evidence-based and research-informed practices), training and technical assistance, sharing of practical examples and resources, streamlined data collection and analysis, and development and support of tools, strategies, documents, and frameworks.
Values
Our work is grounded by these values:
1
Young people and their families are the experts in their lives, strengths, and needs and must be centered in all our work.
2
Young people must be supported to thrive within their families and communities.
3
Families—of origin and choice—are the best supports for raising strong, healthy, capable, and happy children, youth, and young adults.
4
Systems are not replacements for families or communities.
5
People deserve access to services that are high quality, sustainable, effective, timely, and responsive. Families and communities should hold systems accountable for providing the necessary policies, practices, and resources to achieve those services.
