$2.7M in expenses

"virtual support services (VSS) is a tech-enabled resource navigation model that helps young people and caregivers quickly find and access the resources they need. Through VSS, users can search and apply for support based on their priorities, urgency, and preferences-backed by a team of locally based community responders who guide them every step of the way. Since 2021, think of us has used VSS in california, georgia, and the greater boston area to empower transition-age foster youth, kin caregivers, resource families, and adoptive families to meet immediate basic needs and build toward long-term success. Users can request support and connect with community responders via text, chat, email, or phone to explore options, identify solutions, and handle time-consuming administrative tasks such as research, paperwork, and follow-up. In 2024, tou responded to 5,841 requests on behalf of 1,827 families- helping them access over $ 28.9 million in resources.

$2.4M in expenses

The center for lived experience (cle) - a groundbreaking participatory research, proximate policy, and community-building initiative - integrates the insights, data, and leadership of people with lived experience to re-architect the child welfare system. We publish groundbreaking research, work with cities, states, and tribes to co-design and implement solutions to long-standing challenges, and advise federal and state policy makers on effective, bipartisan solutions. The center for lived experience strives to create a world where individuals with lived experience, and their insights, drive an accessible and effective child and family wellbeing system. By building a community of lived experts and organizations where lived expertise is fully integrated into the functions and infrastructure of systems, the center seeks to make lived experience a core element of systems change that results in better outcomes for individuals. The center for lived experience is a hub for developing the knowledge, skills, and practices that integrate lived expertise into the child welfare system. A bridge between theory and practice, the center works with both individuals lived experts and organizations to build community, as well as provide training, technical assistance, capacity building and consulting services. In 2024, 2,886 youth, caregivers, and parents impacted by the child welfare system participated in our research studies, surveys and in- person engagements.

$1.7M in expenses

Our systems change lab leverages our research and design method - rooted in the principles of human-centered problem-solving that powers the private sector - to drive innovation. Partners have little capacity to design and test new solutions. As a result, it can take decades for research to inform policy. We accelerate this process by bringing nimble and responsive research and design capabilities to the public sector.

$5.1M in expenses

Other programs - general programs, lobbying, communications and technology.