Human and Social Development

The Human and Social Development Program supports the use of a comprehensive approach to promote the well-being of individuals across the life cycle – physical, social, emotional, intellectual and mental. Our approach draws upon evidence-based strategies that enable children, youth and families to thrive and achieve positive outcomes, such as academic success, emotional and physical safety, reduced placements outside the home, sustainable employment and access to housing and transportation.

Through training, technical assistance, and web-based tools we build individual, workforce, and organizational capacity. At international, national, state and local levels, we work with and foster collaboration across the major systems serving children, youth and families so that they deliver seamless services and supports. These systems include public health and health care, mental health and substance abuse, juvenile justice, child welfare, education, social and recreational services. We strengthen the ability of organizations to promote health, intervene early to prevent problems, and provide treatment and respond to trauma.

AIR brings extensive expertise in using research and data enabling others to plan, transform, and evaluate policies and practices. We design studies to report on program impact and generate new knowledge that advances the field.

We are committed to addressing the underlying social and economic factors that negatively affect people’s lives, such as poverty, exclusion and discrimination. Our focus includes the needs of American Indian and Alaskan Natives, military families, gay, lesbian and transgendered youth, and those with mental illness. Respecting and working with people’s cultural values and native language is an important part of how we do our work. We continuously engage stakeholders and consumers, capturing their voices and enabling them to improve policies, programs, and services affecting them.