Founded July 1, 2007, the mission of the Institute for Families (IFF), at the Rutgers School of Social Work, is to support and strengthen individuals, families, and communities by building the capacity of human service professionals and organizations. We accomplish this by:

• Increasing the capacity of human service professionals and organizations to meet best practice standards and respond to the ever changing needs of their communities,
• Marshalling the resources of Rutgers to create a more humane, just, and equitable society,
• Disseminating knowledge in NJ and beyond that leads to greater understanding of social issues, and
• Developing leadership in interdisciplinary policy, research, and professional development on families, communities, and organizations.

Consistent with the University's broad mission, the Institute provides a focal point for training, research, and service activities concerned with strengthening families. The objectives of our programs are to:

• Promote healthy family development
• Protect children and strengthen families at risk
• Assist youth in the transition to adulthood
• Support and protect aging family members
• Serve diverse populations across the lifespan