YRI’s Center for Excellence Expands Motivational Interviewing Impact Across New York State
The Center for Excellence (CfE) is proud to announce significant progress in its Motivational Interviewing Implementation initiative, in collaboration with the New York State Office of Children and Family Services, Chapin Hall, and Lyssn. This groundbreaking effort is transforming how child welfare professionals engage with children, youth, and families.
Additionally, this first-of-its kind implementation model features one-on-one coaching between our MI-trained CfE staff and frontline case workers. The initiative has been a unique opportunity and meaningful investment in the professionals who form the backbone of New York’s child welfare system.
Through strategic outreach and tailored support, the CfE has successfully engaged 13 counties since 2024. These counties now demonstrate high levels of quarterly participation and commitment to MI skill development.
From the initial launch until the end of June 2025, 345 child welfare professionals have participated in the CfE booster training, with 86% completing the full program from booster trainings through to quarterly fidelity checks.
July 2025
Fidelity checks are used as an opportunity to engage in coaching debrief sessions, discuss feedback, and set goals. Participants have reported on the value of hands-on practice and the immediate coaching feedback, citing both avenues as the most beneficial aspects of the training. Participants also noted a marked increase in confidence in applying MI skills post-training, as well as observing the benefit of MI practice with the families they support.
Early analysis indicates that regular fidelity checks implemented in conjunction with MI training enhances casework practices and fosters stronger family engagement.
You can read more about the CfE’s MI initiative here: Motivational Interviewing — Youth Research Inc.
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YRI Announces New Center for Excellence for Evidence-Based Practice Implementation (CfE) As Part of Child Abuse Prevention Month Launch
YRI’s Center for Excellence Team joins OCFS in wearing blue for Child Abuse Prevention Month
On Friday, April 5, 2024, Youth Research Inc. (YRI) joined the New York Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) to celebrate our shared commitment to supporting child and family wellbeing.
As the nonprofit affiliate to OCFS, YRI provides workforce development and project implementation support to improve equitable services that promote stability and wellbeing for children and families in New York. Relatedly, YRI and OCFS have worked in tandem to launch the Center for Excellence for Evidence-Based Practice Implementation (CfE).
April 2024
The CfE represents another step in our collective commitment to reimagining child and family services across New York State and will be the hub for providing technical assistance, training, continuous quality improvement, and evaluation beginning with two evidence-based programs in 2024 – Motivational Interviewing (MI) and Brief Strategic Family Therapy (BSFT).
The CfE creates opportunities to do even more, providing additional support for the implementation of evidenced-based practices that will better support an often overburdened child welfare workforce, and engaging local partners with a goal to upstream prevention, lower caseloads, and prioritize keeping families together.
YRI and our Center for Excellence remain committed to driving positive change in child-welfare practices. We look forward to celebrating the transformative impact of this work in the coming months. Transforming the child welfare system will require more innovative partnerships like this one for success. YRI is thankful to our colleagues at OCFS for this opportunity to be part of this important change. Together we can make a lasting difference in the lives of children and families across New York State.
You can learn more about OCSF’s child abuse prevention initiatives here.
Follow the CfE on Social Media