About Us
The Center for Social Innovation (C4) and our training institute, t3, are now C4 Innovations. We are still the skilled people you know doing the innovative training, technical assistance, and consulting you have come to expect from us with the goal of improving the lives of marginalized people and communities.
Substance use, mental health, and trauma challenge healthcare and human service programs, communities, and systems. Often driven by gaps in knowledge, practice, and resources, these challenges are worsened by stigma and structural injustices.
C4 Innovations develops and implements approaches that advance person-centered care, support recovery and stable housing, achieve health and wellness, and effect lasting social change. When people are able to access and engage in their own care, the results are healthier individuals and communities, more efficient systems, and reduced costs.
People First
We are a values and mission-driven, woman-owned small business. We put people first. Our work 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 training and technical assistance and consulting services spark learning and transformation through community change efforts, research and evaluation, and innovative product development and dissemination. Our work 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.
Our expertise is primarily in:
- Best practices for person-centered and trauma-informed care
- Recovery from substance use and mental health conditions
- Roles and supports for peers and people with lived experience
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.
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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.