Co-founded by Dr. Covington and Dr. Anne Dosher in 1994, the Institute for Relational Development seeks to develop caring, compassionate, and empowering environments. Through consultation and organizational development, the Institute assists in strategic planning, program development and staff training for agencies interested in creative growth and system change. It also provides clinical services to individuals, couples, and families.

Services to Agencies and Organizations

The Institute for Relational Development assists agencies in both the public and private sectors by providing expertise, leadership, technical assistance, and services in the following areas:

•   System analysis: analyzes system readiness for gender-responsive
    approaches

•   Policy review and development: reviews existing policies with respect to
    women and girls and assists in developing gender-responsive policies

•   Strategic planning: provides facilitation to agencies for short- and long-term
    planning of gender-responsive approaches to policy and programs

•   Program development: helps to develop gender-reponsive and culturally
    sensitive services and programs for women and girls.

•   Training: provides technical assistance and training to administrators and line
    staff who work with women and girls

•   Assessment: assesses the environment and content of programs in
    institutional and community-based settings

Consultation

The Institute for Relational Development, in addition to providing clinical services to individuals and families, has assisted agencies with institutional, program, and staff development. The following are among the past and present clients:

Betty Ford Treatment Center, Rancho Mirage, California
Biola University, La Mirada, California
Center for Mental Health Services, Rockville, Maryland
Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, Rockville, Maryland
Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, Rockville, Maryland
Connecticut Women's Consortium
Drug Strategies, Washington, D.C.
Department of Mental Health, Guam
Edgehill Newport Foundation, Newport, Rhode Island
Ersta Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
Human Services System, Fresno, California
McAlister Institute, San Diego, California
Mental Health Systems, San Diego, California
North Carolina Department of Mental Health
Pine Grove Women's Center, Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Agency, Rockville, Maryland
Women's Alcoholism Center, San Francisco, California
Women's Recovery Center, Hanley Treatment Center, West Palm Beach