About The Partnership
The Building Bridges Initiative
The Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) promotes full partnerships between all who are involved with youth and families receiving residential interventions and community services and supports. BBI also supports the use of promising, best, and evidence-based and evidence-informed practices to achieve sustained positive outcomes for youth and families. Originally founded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, BBI is a national partnership of residential and community service providers, youth and families, advocates, and national organizations that have come together to create better outcomes for children and youth with behavioral and/or emotional challenges.
Research shows that youth in the child-welfare system are best served when placed in the least-restrictive, most family-like environments. Still, residential placements are an important part of the continuum of foster care settings. Youth in these settings benefit from receiving specialized mental and behavioral health interventions so they can return to family-like settings as soon as possible.
BBI Texas
The Center for Child and Family Studies, in partnership with the Annie E. Casey Foundation, brings trainings, strategic planning assistance and other activities to residential treatment centers in Texas. BBI Texas uses analyses and evaluations of short-term outcomes to inform future policies regarding residential interventions. Along with statewide training activities, resources are allocated for BBI coaching and technical assistance in Harris County.
The Texas Center for Child and Family Studies (The Center) is the 501c3 nonprofit supporting organization of the Texas Alliance of Child and Family Services (TACFS).
Maintaining dedication and the highest integrity, The Center works to equip child- and family-serving organizations with the knowledge, skills, and ability they need to provide high-quality services in their communities. Staying on the forefront of innovation and best practices while also anticipating issues and areas of concern, The Center achieves its mission through trainings, consultations, education, and rigorous research. The goal of the Center is to advance the growth of a highly skilled workforce and empower individuals and organizations to serve in their roles competently, ethically, and reflectively.
Learn More About
Resources
Implementing Best Residential Practices: Getting from Here to There
BBI Quality Improvement Cohort: Interest Letter Deadline Extended
Residential child welfare providers are invited to join the Texas Center for Child and Family Studies and the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) on May 18
Children’s Residential and Community Services Association Conference: Preconference Brainstorming Session for Family Partners
Family Partners can receive free preconference registration and a $700 travel stipend to attend the Children’s Residential and Community Services Association Conference. Participants are also
BBI to Provide Technical Assistance to Residential Programs
The Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) is excited to be embarking on a new project of providing technical assistance to selected residential programs that have already
Get to Know a TACFS Partner: Building Bridges Initiative
Meet Lloyd Bullard, Senior Consultant at National Building Bridges Initiatives (BBI). BBI and TACFS have a shared passion for prevention and intervention programs that center
Building Bridges Initiative Virtual Conference
Texas state oversight agency leaders have shared interest in and commitment to continuing to improve residential practices to support improved long-term outcomes post-residential discharge for