In Trust-Based Relational Intervention® (TBRI®) we are always striving to See the Needs and Meet the Needs of children, youth, and caregivers and the systems that care for them. We at the Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development (KPICD) recognize that there is a need to more fully appreciate and embrace the lived experiences and identities of people around the world, particularly individuals who are Black, Indigenous, or people of color. Additionally, there is a need to recognize and celebrate the diversity of individuals and systems of care impacted by TBRI.

To meet these needs, TBRI practices and strategies must speak directly and openly to the lived experiences of all children, youth, and families. We must look critically at our intervention and practices while maintaining integrity to the model and retaining the spirit of TBRI.

In an effort to more purposefully address these needs, our Institute launched the KPICD Anti-Racism & Inclusiveness Initiative in Fall 2020. This necessary and important work will be ongoing, but our first goal is to expand and update TBRI principles, practices, and strategies to speak more completely to the lived experiences of children, youth, and caregivers around the world. We strive to meet this goal in the following ways:

1. Ensure that TBRI is relevant and appropriate in a variety of settings and populations, making adaptations where needed;
2. Recognize and celebrate the cultural diversity present in TBRI’s global footprint and incorporate the wisdom found across cultures and traditions.

We’ve established a task force of KPICD staff members and have developed work groups to begin making changes. We are also committed to listening to and learning from voices different from our own and the unique insights these individuals bring from their lived experiences.

We will announce updates and new resources as they become available.

We often quote our beloved founder and director, Dr. Karyn Purvis, whose dream was to “help all the children of all the world.” While this dream continues to drive our work, we are committed to ensuring that our intervention and resources truly reflect that TBRI is for every person across race, culture, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, and background.