About Congressional research institute for social work & policy
Congressional Research Institute for Social Work & Policy: Empowering Communities through Research and Advocacy
Thereβs so much going on in the world around us each day. Decisions are being made by political figures that will impact us for a lifetime. It is important to have an organization that can provide research-based information and advocacy to ensure that these decisions are made with the best interests of communities in mind. The Congressional Research Institute for Social Work & Policy (CRISP) is one such organization.
CRISP is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to promoting social justice, equity, and well-being through research, policy analysis, and advocacy. Founded in 2010 by Dr. Charles E. Lewis Jr., a former congressional staffer and social work professor, CRISP has become a leading voice on issues related to social work practice, policy development, and community empowerment.
At CRISP, we believe that research should inform policy decisions at all levels of government β from local to national β in order to create more equitable outcomes for all individuals and communities. Our team of researchers conducts rigorous studies on topics such as poverty reduction strategies, healthcare reform policies, criminal justice reform initiatives, immigration policies affecting families with children who have disabilities or chronic illnesses among others.
We also provide training opportunities for social workers who want to develop their skills in policy analysis and advocacy so they can be effective advocates for their clients at the local level or when working with policymakers at the state or federal level.
Our work has been recognized by numerous organizations including the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), which awarded CRISP its prestigious Public Citizen of the Year Award in 2017.
One area where CRISP has been particularly active is advocating for policies that promote economic security among vulnerable populations such as low-income families with children or older adults living alone without family support systems nearby. We believe that everyone deserves access to basic necessities like food security housing stability health care services and education.
We also advocate for policies that promote social justice and equity, such as criminal justice reform initiatives that reduce mass incarceration and address systemic racism in the criminal justice system. We believe that everyone deserves equal treatment under the law regardless of their race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status.
In addition to our research and advocacy work, CRISP also hosts events such as conferences and webinars to bring together policymakers, researchers, practitioners, and community members to discuss critical issues affecting vulnerable populations. These events provide a platform for sharing best practices and innovative solutions to complex social problems.
At CRISP we are committed to empowering communities through research-based information advocacy training opportunities networking opportunities among others. Our goal is to create a more just equitable society where everyone has access to basic necessities like food security housing stability health care services education among others. Join us in this mission by supporting our work today!