Connecticut university establishes Innovations Institute

Abstract

The University of Connecticut School of Social Work (UConn SSW) announced last month the arrival of its Innovations Institute. The institute extends the UConn's commitment to social, racial, and economic justice and the improvement of human well‐being nationwide, the campus news website, UConn Today, reported on Dec. 8. To fulfill its mission, the UConn SSW has deep and long‐standing partnerships with Connecticut state agencies that serve children, youth, and their families, including the departments of social services, children and families, mental health and addiction services, and the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood. Through these robust partnerships, UConn provides research, implementation, and evaluation of evidence‐based programs and policies that serve children, youth, and families across the state, officials stated. The Innovations Institute is comprised of 41 faculty and staff and six national centers that are formerly affiliated with the University of Maryland. These centers include the Peer TA Network; the National SOGIE Center; the National Wraparound Implementation Center; the National Quality Improvement Center on Family‐Centered Reunification; the National Quality Improvement Center on Tailored Services, Placement Stability, and Permanency for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning and Two‐Spirit Children and Youth in Foster Care; and the Center of Excellence on LGBTQ+ Behavioral Health Equity, the online campus news site, UCONN Today reported on Dec. 8. Innovations Institute builds research‐based, inclusive, culturally responsive, and transformative child‐, youth‐ and family‐serving systems and services, and develops the capacity of the workforce within these systems. They are currently partnering with state and local governments, health care providers, youths and their families, and community‐based organizations in 42 states across the U.S.