Introducing a New Initiative From Thrive Center's ECIN and Its Partners

Welcome to the fourth edition of Thrive Dispatches, a newsletter from Thrive Center for Children, Families, and Communities at Georgetown University.

The cornerstone of our work at Thrive Center is partnership, and we have an exciting new initiative that demonstrates the power of strong partnerships. The Early Childhood Innovation Network (ECIN), a Thrive Center project that has driven community-engaged research and program development in Washington, D.C. since 2016, is collaborating with two local organizations, DC Action and CityFirst Bank, to launch an innovative two-generation cash transfer demonstration project designed to disrupt intergenerational poverty and to advance family economic stability as well as health and wellbeing.

(Read more about the partnership and the Greater Washington Community Foundation investment below, in Highlights And News.)

I'm so excited to follow this work, which will be led by Thrive Center faculty Stephanie Mitchell and Corey Williams.

This initiative fits into a burgeoning national and international interest in cash transfer programs to improve the economic and health status of families, particularly ones with young children. The initiative will enroll one hundred low- to moderate-income households with young children that have recently faced housing insecurity, and will represent the racial and ethnic diversity of families in D.C., including undocumented ones. Through this project, these families will receive a range of financial support, including monthly cash transfers, retirement accounts, children's trust accounts, and financial coaching. The program will also provide family navigation services and mental health support through work with community mental health workers.

Our team from ECIN and Thrive will have several crucial roles in the project, including contributing to the evaluation effort by specifically focusing on how these interventions affect family stress, relationships, and the mental health of both children and caregivers. Our team will also recruit graduates of our own Family Leadership training program to serve as community mental health workers supporting families.

Please join me in congratulating our Thrive Center and ECIN team, led by Stephanie and Corey.

— Matt

Highlights And News

Greater Washington Community Foundation announces $26 million investment in innovative D.C. health equity partnerships, including with Early Childhood Innovation Network (ECIN)

As mentioned in the Director's Desk note, Thrive Center's Early Childhood Innovation Network (ECIN) is collaborating with DC Action and CityFirst Bank on a two-generation cash transfer program to support the economic and personal development of low-to-moderate-income families facing housing insecurity. The program is part of Greater Washington Community Foundation’s strategy of impacting health outcomes by addressing social and structural determinants of health.

Read the Greater Washington Community Foundation's announcement

Celene Domitrovich, Ph.D. - Associate Research Professor & Director of Research and Innovation

NEW STUDY | Infant and early childhood mental health consultation: evaluating change in classroom climate and teaching practices by dosage of program exposure

The study, led by Celene Domitrovich (pictured), was published in Early Childhood Research Quarterly and seeks to evaluate the effects of Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (IECMHC), a capacity-building intervention designed to improve classroom climate and teacher practices to support young children’s mental health.

Conducted in a charter school network over an approximately 10-week-long cycle, the study found that classrooms receiving higher doses of consultation demonstrated greater improvements, with longer consultations leading to the most significant positive changes. The findings highlight the importance of consultation dosage in fostering high-quality early childhood education environments.

Read the study

Jennifer Drake-Croft - Project Director of the Infant and Early Childhood (IECMH)

Lessons Learned From Working With Nine Communities to Address Mental Health Needs of Infants and Young Children

The Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMH) Technical Assistance Center establishes a strong foundation for children's health, learning, behavior, and relationships during early childhood. As part of the center’s work, it supports SAMHSA-funded grantees in addressing the mental health needs of young children, families, and communities. In mid-November, Project Director Jennifer Drake-Croft (pictured) and the center released nine case studies of grantee communities to share lessons learned in innovative community-led work in IECMH.

On Nov. 14, Rachel Hanebutt and Lisa Hepburn teamed up with the Innovation Hub @Thrive team to share practical strategies for transforming data into meaningful community impact.

In today’s data-driven world, organizations serving children, families, and communities face a critical challenge: effectively translating data into meaningful action and lasting impact. At Thrive Center, we believe that data analysis should serve as a bridge between evidence-based practice and community-led solutions.

As we work to build more equitable and effective systems of care, the ability to harness data has become increasingly crucial. However, many organizations struggle to move from data collection to data-informed action. This gap between information and implementation often prevents valuable insights from reaching the communities that need them most.

Follow Thrive Center on LinkedIn for updates on future webinars.

Watch the recording

Upcoming

The Innovation Hub @Thrive is Seeking Applications

Are you someone who reimagines and embraces new, community-backed approaches within the child and family mental health and disability spaces? The Innovation Hub is now accepting applications for its three-month fellowship program.

The program is designed to help startups, nonprofits, and innovators who are focused on child and family health to scale their impact. Fellows receive mentorship and strategic support from Thrive Center’s experts, and have access to the Thrive Center’s extensive network.

Please contact the program manager, Kinsley Cuen, at innovationhub@georgetown.edu with any questions.

Questions, suggestions, or comments? Want us to write about your research or work? Send us an email: Contact@ThriveCenter.Georgetown.edu.

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