About Us
When people experience substance use, mental health issues, and housing instability, having access to available, high-quality, and flexible service and support options is essential. Many communities and systems have a limited continuum of service options and are often unprepared to meet the needs of everyone who needs help–in ways that are most useful and relevant to their lives. These challenges are worsened by structural and systematic racism, mass incarceration, stigma, and other forms of discrimination and injustice.
C4 Innovations advances equitable access to recovery, wellness, and housing stability for people who are systematically marginalized. When all people—regardless of race, ethnicity, gender identity—are able to access and engage in quality care, the results are healthier individuals, families, and communities.
People First
We are a values- and mission-driven, woman-owned small business. We put people first. Our work leads with racial equity and is person-centered, trauma-informed, and recovery-oriented with a deep commitment to promoting social justice and reducing disparities.
We walk the walk. More than 45% of our staff is in recovery from substance use and mental health disorders, homelessness, and trauma. Many more are family members and allies of people in recovery as well as clinicians, practitioners, and leaders with on-the-ground experience designing and delivering services. We prioritize the lived experience and first-hand knowledge of our staff, clients, and partners in all our work.
What We Do
Our expertise is primarily in:
- Assessing and taking steps to address systemic and structural racism within housing and social service systems
- Ensuring equitable access to prevention, early intervention, treatment, and recovery supports to address substance use and mental health conditions
- Engaging with and responding more effectively to individuals, families, and youth experiencing or at risk of housing instability and homelessness
- Developing and applying best practices and innovative approaches that improve services and supports for systematically marginalized populations
Our training and technical assistance, customized support and consulting, online learning, program evaluation, and research services spark learning and transformation through program and systems change efforts and innovative product development and dissemination. Our work with partners around the U.S. spans the continuum from prevention and early intervention strategies to housing solutions and recovery supports—all with a focus on transforming lives, systems, and communities.
Learn more about our people, our expertise, and our services.
Our History
Who we are and what we do today is deeply connected to where we come from. C4 Innovations (formerly Center for Social Innovation) began in 2006 with one project—the Homelessness Resource Center, a SAMHSA initiative dedicated to improving the lives of people experiencing homelessness, mental illness, substance use problems, co-occurring disorders, and trauma. Since then, C4 Innovations has expanded our focus to address other factors that contribute to health disparities, poverty, homelessness, and other forms of social injustice.
Our roots go back to the 1980’s and the pioneering work of our founder, Ellen L. Bassuk, MD, who first began documenting the causes and consequences of family homelessness and the best ways to respond. Dr. Bassuk has spent more than 35 years investigating connections among poverty, homelessness, trauma, and mental illness. Her commitment to improving lives by changing services and systems informs our work every day.
Subscribe to receive our newsletter and training updates.
Bassuk Center
The Bassuk Center supports communities as they provide stable housing, wellness, and opportunity for marginalized individuals, families, and youth. This non-profit organization was founded by Ellen Bassuk, MD. The Bassuk Center’s vision is that every person in America has a safe and decent place to live, health and mental health care they need, economic and social opportunities that allow them to thrive—and that children’s developmental needs are met.
Our colleagues at the Bassuk Center develop and promote services that respond to health and mental health needs that undermine stable housing and social stability and disrupt child development. Learn more.