The Children, Youth and Family Consortium was established during the Fall of 1991 to build the capacity of the University of Minnesota and Minnesota communities to use research to inform policy and enhance practice to improve the well-being of Minnesota's children, youth and families.

Core Functions

1. Generate knowledge - CYFC recruits faculty and students of diverse disciplines to conduct research responsive to community defined needs.

2. Catalyze research - CYFC brings together faculty of diverse disciplines and community members to explore research partnerships and provides grant writing support, ongoing coordination of collaborations and assistance in disseminating findings to public, practitioner and policy audiences.

3. Translate research - CYFC uses a variety of mechanisms, such as web and print communication, events and seminars to provide audiences with research-based information in a manner that is accessible and applicable to their work.

4. Policy education - CYFC works with the Minnesota legislature and other policy makers to bring research to decision-makers and to encourage an evidence-based approach to policy-making and implementation.