Southwest Institute for Families and Children (SWI) is a non-profit research and development organization focusing on children's health and education.

Established in 1997 by Tanis Bryan and Karen Burstein, while at Arizona State University and awarded its non-profit status in 2001, SWI conducts research, demonstration, implementation, and training projects that advance knowledge and change practice; thus, improving the quality of health, education, and social services for families, children, and youth.

Research partners have included the AZ Department of Health, Arizona State University, Louisiana State University at Baton Rouge, Lorain City Schools, University of Alabama, and University of Akron. In addition, we routinely collaborate with Navajo Nation to address disparities in health, education, and welfare of American Indian Children.

Recent activities include:

1. •  Asset based assessments of children 0-5 and their families across Maricopa, Navajo and
     Apache Counties as well as an in-depth study of the early childhood assets and supports for
     children on the Navajo Nation;
   

2. •  Large scale early literacy projects for young children in Yuma and Mohave Counties and
     Gallup-McKinley County, NM;
   

•   Set Yourself Free, a Project of National Significance that implements best practices for youth
     transitioning to adulthood;  

•   Large scale program evaluations of early childhood and educational programs in five states; and

•   Development of web-based assessments for young children and resource directories for families
     and children.

SWI continues to seek answers to the difficult issues that pose barriers to families and children. A major focus of our work is to teach consumers to use data to make important decision that influence their lives. Through this process, we all become scientists in the pursuit of better lives.