![\"Joshua](\"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2016\/05\/MerskyICFW_DR.jpg\")
Joshua Mersky, 51ÁÔÆæ associate professor of social work, and Gabriel McGaughey, director of well-being at Children\u2019s Hospital of Wisconsin, will serve as the institute\u2019s co-directors. It will be housed at the Children\u2019s Hospital of Wisconsin Community Services Building.<\/p>\n
A major aim is to help the 30.5 percent of children in Milwaukee who\u2019ve had at least two adverse childhood experiences, such as abuse, neglect, violence or extreme poverty. The institute will provide training, consultation and technical assistance to help human service agencies support children and families exposed to significant adversity.<\/p>\n
\u201cChildren\u2019s Hospital of Wisconsin\u2019s vision is that Wisconsin children will be the healthiest in the nation,\u201d said Peggy Troy, CEO of Children\u2019s Hospital of Wisconsin. \u201cBut \u2018healthy\u2019 doesn\u2019t just mean that they aren\u2019t sick or hurt. It means that they have the medical, emotional and social support systems and resources necessary to reach their full potential. The new Institute for Child and Family Well-Being will help us do just that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mersky said the institute offers an uncommon interplay between researchers, practitioners and policymakers.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur work sits at the nexus of research, practice\u00a0and policy,\u201d Mersky said. \u201cWe\u2019re interested in translating research into practice and policy, but we\u2019ll also have the opportunity to translate practice and policy into research.\u201d<\/p>\n