Our Products and Publications
C4 Innovations translates the latest research and best practices into real-world products and tools that are practical, accessible, and adaptable in healthcare and social service settings. Our team creatively integrates adult learning principles, beautiful design, and cutting-edge technology into everything we do. Our work has been published in peer-reviewed journals and other key publications. Here are some examples of the products and publications our staff have created.
Learn more about partnering with us.
Transforming Systems to Promote Equitable Access to Recovery
As we learn more about social determinants of health and the complex and interconnected conditions that shape people’s lives, forward-thinking behavioral health leaders are striving to overcome bureaucratic, funding, and policy barriers to providing holistic, flexible, recovery-oriented supports. C4 works with systems to galvanize and sustain meaningful change—learn more about how we can partner with you to promote equitable access to recovery.
Preventing Substance Use & Promoting Well-Being for Adolescents
Project Amp is an extended brief mentorship intervention that utilizes the power of skilled young adult peer mentors to implement a youth-focused, strengths-based, and non-punitive prevention and early intervention resource. This multi-session intervention pairs youth with young adults with lived experience of recovery and resiliency specific to substance use, mental health, trauma or related challenges. Because of its flexible nature, Project Amp can support youth at varying stages of substance use risk and related mental health challenges. Learn more about how Project Amp can fit in your school, agency, or community.
Examining Recovery Housing in Ohio
In collaboration with Ohio Recovery Housing and Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, C4 staff conducted an environmental scan of recovery housing in Ohio. Together we developed recommendations in response to our findings in the areas of access and referrals, equity, quality and certification, recovery supports, medication-assisted treatment, COVID-19 pandemic, recovery housing policy, and an Ohio Recovery Housing outcomes tool. Read an overview of our findings and the full report. Learn more about our findings and recommendations specific to equity and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Analyzing Potential of Assessments to Perpetuate Racial Inequities
C4 examined the potential for Coordinated Entry System assessments to perpetuate racial inequities for people seeking housing assistance. In partnership with Building Changes and several Continuums of Care, we reviewed data to determine whether people of color differed from white people on prioritization scores, whether there is a statistically significant association between race and being classified into a specific vulnerability group, and the effect of race on high prioritization scores. Our findings point to the pressing need for change in Coordinated Entry System assessments and prioritization processes to ensure racial equity. Read the analysis and recommendations. Learn more about our work on equity and homelessness.
Core Competencies for Peer Workers
A growing body of research shows that support provided by peer workers benefits people in or seeking recovery in many ways. “Core Competencies for Peer Workers in Behavioral Health Services” can guide service delivery and promote best practices in peer support. C4 staff developed the core competencies with diverse subject matter experts, including people with lived experience, and funding from SAMHSA's Bringing Recovery Supports to Scale Technical Assistance Center Strategy (BRSS TACS) project. Learn more about our work integrating and supervising peers.
Value of Peers
Through shared understanding, respect, and mutual empowerment, peer support workers help people become and stay engaged in the recovery process and reduce the likelihood of relapse. Learn more about how peers can advance recovery and add value to behavioral health systems in English and Spanish. C4 staff developed these guides with funding from SAMHSA's Bringing Recovery Supports to Scale Technical Assistance Center Strategy (BRSS TACS) project. Learn more about our work integrating and supervising peers.
Supporting Informed Treatment & Recovery Decisions in Massachusetts
Together in Recovery is fostering an accessible, integrated treatment and recovery network in Massachusetts that champions evidence-based approaches, supports multiple pathways to recovery, and puts people in charge of their treatment choices. In 2019-2020, we partnered with RIZE Massachusetts to convene peer, clinical, policy, family, and community stakeholders and experts to deepen understanding of evidence-based approaches and person-centered strategies.
Using a facilitated dialogue process, we engaged in one-on-one conversations and hosted Change Team meetings, regional meetings, and a statewide event. Through this exploration of diverse viewpoints and experiences, we developed and released a blueprint for action that embraces a unified vision and offers specific steps for implementation. We are now facilitating phase three of the project and are working with RIZE and the Together in Recovery Action Committee to achieve the identified goals and priorities for action. Read Together in Recovery: Facing the Opioid Overdose Crisis in Massachusetts—A Case Study and learn more about the initiative.
Evaluating Collegiate Recovery Services in Washington
C4 and partners at Washington State University (WSU) conducted an environmental scan to assess availability and quality of collegiate recovery support services in Washington State. We collected data from multiple sources including current literature, surveys, policy reviews, and stakeholder interviews. In the report, we make recommendations for individuals and organizations providing collegiate recovery supports.
WSU also examined educational needs and priorities for young people in recovery who are transitioning to collegiate settings. C4’s evaluation team continues to examine collegiate recovery seed grantee outcomes. Read “Reshaping the Conversation: Collegiate Recovery Supports and Services in the State of Washington.” Learn more about this initiative:
Implementing Harm Reduction Approaches
The City of Boston Harm Reduction Toolkit provides best practices for integrating harm reduction into your work and communities while equipping you with the tools to get started. This toolkit was developed to build a culture of harm reduction in Boston. It contains information helpful to folks from all over about applying the principles and practices of harm reduction, involving the community, and designing, delivering, and evaluating harm reduction services. The toolkit was developed by the Boston Mayor’s Office of Recovery Services in partnership with RIZE Massachusetts and C4 Innovations.
Online Learning
C4 Innovations offers online learning opportunities to suit your training needs and busy schedule. We create customized, strategic learning plans that achieve your goals, deepen knowledge, build skills, and ultimately advance whole-person care, support recovery, achieve health and wellness, and improve outcomes for hard-to-reach populations.
Our expert trainers use best practices in training, facilitation, and adult learning principles to engage you and your staff in interactive, inclusive environments. We offer live and self-paced online courses through cutting-edge, easy-to-use technology that engages learners in conversation with one another and expert instructors.
Our live, instructor-led courses delve deeply into specific evidence-based and promising practices. We also offer flexible, self-paced online units and short video tutorials designed for learning on your schedule at home or in the office.
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