About TEFI
We’re building a robust body of research and technological interventions in response to the capacity crisis we’re living in. Our work connects lived experience, empirical data, and a deep commitment commitment to trauma-informed change.
We're all living in a crisis of capacity
More people than ever are being diagnosed with ADHD, autism, and other forms of neurodivergence. At the same time, millions more are living with executive functioning challenges linked to trauma, brain injury, chronic illness, medical neglect, racial trauma, and political violence.
Across all of these experiences, the same core capacities are affected. Planning. Memory. Emotional regulation. Task initiation. Decision making. Yet our systems still operate as if executive functioning is stable, evenly distributed, and untouched by lived experience.
When executive functioning breaks down inside systems that demand constant self-management, the result is often shame and stigma instead of support. People are judged as unmotivated or irresponsible rather than recognized as navigating real cognitive strain.
That stigma compounds harm by increasing stress, eroding cognitive well-being, and worsening long-term health outcomes. TEFI exists to close this gap through research and systems design that treat executive functioning as a public health and equity issue, not a personal failure.
Trauma is the thread connecting us all together
All of the founders at TEFI grew up as knowledge about neurodivergence, trauma, and mental health changed in real time.
Now we’re seeing the impact from the other side as parents, caregivers, and professionals trying to hold our own lives together while supporting others to do the same. Across settings and across generations, the same struggles keep surfacing around capacity, regulation, access, and understanding.
Trauma is the common thread we kept coming back to. Not just trauma tied to a single diagnosis, but the trauma of living in systems that do not adapt, do not listen, and often respond with stigma instead of care.
Over time, it became clear that without a way to address the trauma of being neurodivergent or cognitively strained, regardless of the reason, people remain stuck in cycles of alienation and unmet need.
TEFI was created to create a lasting change and make empowering care more accessible for both children and adults.
We want to help people build real, lasting capacity
Our work began with FunctionalMe, TEFI’s first research and technology initiative. FunctionalMe is a capacity-tracking app designed to help people notice, name, and better understand their real-world executive functioning in daily life.
At the same time, it allows TEFI to begin building ethical, consent-based datasets that reflect how executive functioning actually works across trauma, neurodivergence, health conditions, and lived environments.
FunctionalMe has moved from alpha testing into beta testing, and will be available as a research tool in the coming months. What we learn through FunctionalMe will shape everything that comes next. These early datasets will support future research partnerships, the development of better tools, and long-term public health and policy work focused on executive functioning as a shared system concern.
Our goal is to help move executive functioning out of the realm of personal struggle and into the realm of collective design and support.
Our founding timeline and roadmap
Work begins on MetaEgo
Founder Amy Coleman began building the first prototype of FunctionalMe, originally called MetaEgo.
First prototype complete
The first fully testable version of MetaEgo was completed.
Extensive rebuilding
Rapid changes in AI tools and Facebook’s rebrand to Meta created both technical and naming conflicts that required rebuilding the project from the ground up.
Work on the MVP begins
A new MVP for FunctionalMe was conceived with a renewed focus on executive functioning, trauma, and capacity.
The MVP is finished
The first release of FunctionalMe was ready for alpha testing.
TEFI is incorporated as a nonprofit
TEFI officially incorporated and is now awaiting 501(c)(3) status.
Registration with the AG Charities Division
We received our AGO number and submitted Schedule A2 to begin solicitation
Certificate of Solicitation
We received our certificate of solicitation from the MA AGO and can now legally solicit donations
501(c)3 Status Approved
We were issued our determination letter from the IRS, but it was accidentally shredded by our mail service.
FunctionalMe successfully ported to React Native
The FunctionalMe app is now working as native Android and iOS. New features are being worked on and some kinks are being worked out.
Responsive Tech Lab launches
TEFI obtains an exclusive license to FunctionalMe from FxM Tech Group. The Responsive Tech Lab officially launches in partnership with FxM Tech Group.
4056-B Submitted
We called the IRS to check the status when we discovered some of our mail had been accidentally destroyed and still didn't see our organization in TEOS. Then we submitted a 4056-B to get a copy. We'll have our determination letter and be present in TEOS within 4-8 weeks.
Inclusion in TEOS
We're officially included in TEOS now! Unfortunately, our name was spelled incorrectly so we're showing as "Trauma & Executive Functioning Inst Itute, Inc." Must be what we get for being added on Friday the 13th. We're working on fixing that right now!
FunctionalMe is in beta!
🎉 FunctionalMe has officially begun beta testing with the general population. 🎉
First program launch
Root Systems launches the Worcester Interconnected Needs Study (WINS) to help evaluate community need. Our "We All Deserve To Eat" initiative also launches at the Worcester Out To Lunch Festival.
First datasets begin producing valuable insights into user microbehavior.
Common Frequency will launch its first initiative in collaboration with local partners and artists.
The Board for Trauma-Informed Practice will launch its first credentialed online and in-person trainings.
FunctionalMe will transition to a larger beta test phase with more features.
First longitudinal dataset achieved and public release of FunctionalMe.
Sufficient data to generate meaningful insights into long-term patterns and cohort-level discrepancies found in FunctionalMe.
We're on a mission
We’re building this work in the open and in community. We need your help to reach our goals. Whether you want to test FunctionalMe, partner with us for research, or support the work as a donor, there’s a meaningful way to be part of what we’re building.
Interested in joining our board?
We’d love to connect with people who are thoughtful, grounded, and interested in contributing their skills to a mission-centered, research-driven nonprofit.
If you’d like to learn more about board service with TEFI, reach out to hello@tefinstitute.org with a brief introduction.