Innovations Institute

09/05/2025

Join this webinar from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on Medicaid and CHIP policy relevant to a behavioral health coordinated system of crisis care, which is designed for state Medicaid staff and others involved in crisis service initiatives in states.

🖥️ Improving Medicaid Crisis Response
📆 Wednesday 9/10 from 2:00 – 3:30 PM ET
🎫 Learn more & register: https://norc.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_jzKMQrL7R_eNBif4uuuQKg

09/04/2025

How do rural young people experience digital connection, mental health, and well-being?

A new report from our colleagues at Hopelab reveals that while face similar challenges as their urban peers, they engage less with digital supports—shaped by unique factors like connectivity gaps, , and privacy concerns.

At Innovations, we know understanding these realities is key to building equitable, accessible systems for young people everywhere.

📖 Explore the full report: hopelab.org/stories/rural-realities

09/03/2025

📅 Save the date for the 2nd annual 988 Day: 9/8/25!

🎗️ This year’s theme, “Compassionate Help. Anytime. Anywhere," reflects the heart of what 988 offers: empathy, reliability & 24/7 support.

💡 Looking for ways to get involved? Explore how communities & organizations are planning creative, meaningful 988 Day activities: https://988lifeline.org/988-day/

09/02/2025

Save the date to join our Parent, Infant, and Early Childhood (PIEC) team for a "Reframing Behavior" webinar for early childhood educators and childcare providers focusing on Pyramid Model practices!

🖥️ Monthly Pyramid Model Practice Webinar – Reframing Behavior
📆 Tuesday, 9/23 from 12:00 – 1:00 PM ET
🎫 Learn more & register: s.uconn.edu/9-23-webinar

08/29/2025

Innovations extends a warm welcome to the new & students beginning and continuing their social work journeys this semester!

As last week's UConn School of Social Work convocation Keynote Ayesha Clarke ’06, ’18 MSW, reminded us, "By choosing , you’re choosing a profession rooted in courage, service, justice, and hope."

Read more about convocation in this UConn Today article:

“By choosing social work, you’re choosing a profession rooted in courage, service, justice, and hope." — Convocation keynote speaker Ayesha Clarke ’06, ...

08/28/2025

Following the inaugural Youth/Family Behavioral Health Research Summit at the , Innovations published a new report capturing key insights, priorities, and next steps identified by researchers, practitioners, and youth and family leaders.

📖 Explore the full report: s.uconn.edu/ii-research
🔗 Learn more about the summit & our research efforts: s.uconn.edu/ti2025-summit

08/27/2025

🌟 Last month, the brought together more than 1100 leaders, practitioners, and advocates to build a world where . Read the full recap from Today: s.uconn.edu/ti25-article

Let’s keep the momentum going! Dive into knowledge, build collaboration, and explore actionable strategies to empower youth-serving systems. Stay updated on upcoming events and opportunities by signing up for our newsletter for early access to future Training Institutes: s.uconn.edu/subscribe2ii

08/26/2025

A recent McKinsey & Company article emphasized what many of us in already know: are on the front lines of a .

While all states are addressing this crisis in some capacity, significant opportunities for greater impact remain. By meeting children and youth where they are, evidence-based services in schools can promote mental health, help prevent mental illness, and provide .

Read for more: s.uconn.edu/mckinsey-ymn

08/25/2025

We're excited to share that our FOCUS/NWIC team has been invited to present at the California Institute for Behavioral Health Solutions (CIBHS) 11th Annual EBP/CDEP conference in Burbank, CA next month!

On Day 2 of the conference (Friday 9/26 from 2:15-3:15PM) don't miss "Beyond Case Management: The FOCUS on Evidence-Informed Tiered Care Coordination." The session will advocate for tiered care coordination, integrating FOCUS Intermediate Care Coordination and Wraparound to transform child-serving systems. Participants will leave the session with implementation insights and practical strategies that improve outcomes for families.

Learn more: https://www.cibhs.org/ebp-cdep-conference-2/

08/22/2025

Applications are open for Active Minds' Mental Health Advocacy Institute! This is a unique, PAID opportunity for college students to develop and implement tailored mental health advocacy action plans on their campus.

Eligibility:
✅18-25 years old
✅Currently enrolled at a U.S. college/university
✅Graduation May '26 or later
✅Not studying abroad during SY25-26

Apply to be part of the 2025-2026 cohort by 9/2/2025 at 11:59 PM PT: s.uconn.edu/apply-mhai

08/21/2025

A new analysis from the Congressional Budget Office, highlighted by the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families in a recent blog post, reveals that the 2025 budget reconciliation law will increase the number of uninsured individuals by 1.3 million in 2026 and steadily increase to 10 million by 2034.

Read more: s.uconn.edu/ccf-cbo-hr1

08/20/2025

Su***de Prevention Awareness Month—a time to raise awareness, promote hope, and normalize help-seeking—is almost here and SAMHSA's ***dePrevention Awareness Month Toolkit is now available.

Access ready-to-use social media copy and graphics, resources, and actionable steps to help make a difference in your community.

🔗 https://www.samhsa.gov/about/digital-toolkits/suicide-prevention-month

***dePreventionMonth

*Help is available 24/7. Text or call 988 to connect with a trained, caring counselor*