For more than two decades the Jordan Institute for Families has focused on strengthening families, communities and the workforce who serves them. Many people across North Carolina and beyond have benefited from the Institute’s consultation, training, technical assistance, programs, and capacity to build partnerships and coalitions. Whether shining a light on health inequity, poverty, incarceration, and maternal mortality or advancing mental wellness, child and family well being, and policy solutions, the Jordan Institute focuses on strengthening families across generations.
Founded in 1996 by Michael Jordan and his family, the Jordan Institute is catalyzing change by connecting the wisdom of communities and social work research policy and practice to advance strategies to support families across the lifespan.
To accomplish this mission, the Jordan Institute is charged with the following goals:
“Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen.”
– Michael Jordan
- Listening to the questions, concerns, ideas, and voice of communities across North Carolina.
- Translating research knowledge into public policies and practice technologies that support and strengthen families.
- Providing technical assistance, education, and training to policy makers, program managers, service providers, and consumers to ensure that research findings (from social work and other disciplines) are reflected in policy recommendations, in professional practice, and in the ways families interact with human service systems in their communities.
- Encouraging collaboration among the areas of aging, child welfare, criminal justice, disabilities, health, juvenile justice, mental health, public education, and other agencies and organizations that serve families.
- Promoting interdisciplinary family studies and information sharing across health and other professions.
- Promoting intergenerational approaches to support and strengthen families across the life course.
- Fostering an atmosphere of respect for racial and cultural diversity in public policy, research, education, and community service.
The Jordan Institute for Families and its affiliated programs—all of which secure extramural funding to support their activities—serve as a focal point for public engagement and service, advancing the mission of the larger University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Michael Jordan has said, “Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen.” The Jordan Institute for Families is living that legacy and making change happen.
