Think Of Us

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.

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.

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