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Vision and Mission

Vision

Our vision is to be nationally and internationally recognized for utilizing interdisciplinary approaches to understand and enhance the well-being of children, youth and families in diverse contexts. We collectively aspire to teaching, research and practices that are socially and scientifically significant. We strive to implement initiatives that foster community engagement, build strengths, and reflect our commitment to be inclusive.

Mission

The mission of the Department of Child and Family Studies is threefold:

  • Conduct research in (or relevant to) contexts such as the home, school, and communities for the purpose of generating new knowledge and informed practices related to the well-being of children, youth, and families, particularly those who are the most vulnerable and at risk for falling short of optimal outcomes;
  • Educate and train well-informed undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral-level students who are well prepared to study and/or serve predominantly at-risk children, youth, and families in the state, region, nation, and international communities; and
  • Provide outreach and/or consulting services to families, government and private agencies, NGOs, professional organizations, and industries in areas that relate to child and family studies.