Think of Us

Think of Us is a national nonprofit and research and design lab that works to transform the United States foster care system into a child and family well-being system. Guided by people with lived experience, the organization partners with government agencies, lawmakers, providers, advocates, foundations, and public and private sector leaders to drive systemic reforms at the federal, state, and local levels. Its core focus areas include preventing unnecessary entry into foster care, prioritizing kinship and family connections, preparing young people for life after foster care, and helping agencies use better data, technology, and lived experience insights to improve decision-making and service delivery.

The organization utilizes data, technology, policy, and direct support networks to execute its mission. It has built the Lived Experience Engine, a dataset incorporating perspectives from over 51,000 individuals impacted by the child welfare system. This proprietary dataset powers artificial intelligence tools and shapes reform initiatives. The technology infrastructure incorporates Python, SQL, Databricks, and AI pipelines built on models from Anthropic and OpenAI, utilizing LangFuse for observability and evaluation. Through these technical assets, research initiatives, and collaborative frameworks, the organization works to re-architect child welfare structures and improve outcomes for children and families.