Our North Star
At Children’s Institute, we believe in the boundless potential of all children and families to achieve emotional well-being and educational success, which build pathways to lifelong health and economic mobility.
Meeting the Moment
Children’s Institute is undertaking this strategic refresh during a period of heightened uncertainty and complexity. Federal funding cuts, civic unrest, and increasingly harsh immigration enforcement underscore the urgency of safeguarding CII’s integrated behavioral health, early education, and family support services.
Theory of Change
Our theory of change is both a guiding framework and a living tool, connecting our program model to long-term impact and generational change:
CORE PRIORITIES
Together, four core priorities are the building blocks of CII’s North Star—for families, staff, and the communities we serve:
- One CII: What We Deliver for Families
There is no wrong door. Regardless of which need brings a family to us, CII identifies and connects families to the full range of programs and partner supports. A streamlined registration and intake system also facilitates staff collaboration, reduces administrative burdens, and prioritizes mental health emergencies and clinical needs. - People & Culture: Who Delivers the Work
CII has a thriving and engaging workforce, aligned to a shared mission. Team members feel valued, supported, psychologically resilient, with clear pathways to learn, grow, and advance. - Systems & Infrastructure: How We Work
Advanced technology and system design that strengthen program operations and impact. Improved workflows enhance accuracy, improve outcomes, and enable data-driven decision making. - Financial Health: How We Sustain CII
Ensuring CII’s long-term sustainability. A diversified, innovative, multi-year financial strategy integrating scenario planning and strategic priorities with budgeting and forecasting enables CII to plan for funding shifts and ensure resources for our highest impact work.
Â
TO LEARN MORE AND SUPPORT THIS WORK, PLEASE CONTACT:
Catherine Atack, Chief External Officer
catack@childrensinstitute.org
(213) 260-7701
Ian Ryen, Vice President of Impact Investment
iryen@childrensinstitute.orgÂ
(213)260-7650