A new institute launched at Florida State University aims to improve the lives of children and their families who rely on out-of-home care.

The Institute for Quality Children’s Services will be housed within the College of Social Work’s Center for the Study and Promotion of Communities, Families, and Children. The institute’s objective is to make scientifically supported strategies addressing urgent behavioral health needs accessible and implementable for service providers and child-serving systems.

Shamra Boel-Studt, associate professor in FSU’s College of Social Work will serve as the new institute’s director. Jonathan Huefner, Research Scientist, Boys Town National Research Hospital will serve as its co-director.