[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_fullwidth_header title=”Our mission” button_one_text=”Our values” button_one_url=”#mission-values” button_two_text=”Our standards” button_two_url=”#mission-standards” content_max_width=”70%” content_max_width_tablet=”70%” content_max_width_phone=”100%” content_max_width_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” title_font_size=”48px” title_letter_spacing=”-2px” content_font=”Source Serif Pro||on||||||” background_color=”#f7f4f3″ background_layout=”light” custom_padding=”||0px|||” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
More people are being traumatized than the world knows how to help. TEFI is changing that by building\u00a0the standard of care that trauma survivors deserve.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_fullwidth_header][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ module_id=”mission-values” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” custom_padding=”75px||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”900px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_heading title=”Executive functioning is a public health issue” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h2″ title_text_align=”left” title_font_size=”60px” title_font_size_tablet=”60px” title_font_size_phone=”40px” title_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n TEFI conducts multi-disciplinary research on trauma and executive functioning to develop evidence-based practices, technologies, and programming that builds stronger communities.<\/span><\/p>\n We study how trauma and chronic stress affect executive functioning, regulation, and everyday decision making and use that knowledge to inform public health, human services, and practical tools that support stability, clarity, and self regulation.<\/p>\n Our work connects lived experience, data, and systems design so people are not left to navigate cognitive strain alone.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][dipi_flip_box front_title=”Executive functioning shapes daily health behavior” use_front_icon=”on” front_icon=”||fa||900″ front_icon_color=”#B6244F” front_content=”<\/p>\n Executive functioning affects planning, follow-through, emotional regulation, and decision making. These skills directly influence medication adherence, sleep, nutrition, stress management, and help-seeking. When executive functioning is strained, even knowing what to do is not enough to sustain healthy behavior.<\/p>\n ” back_title=”It directly impacts access to care and support” use_back_icon=”on” back_icon=”||fa||900″ back_icon_color=”#FFFFFF” back_content=”<\/p>\n Most health, education, and human service systems assume a high level of self-management. Scheduling appointments, completing paperwork, following treatment plans, navigating insurance, and advocating for care all depend on executive functioning. When capacity is limited, people are more likely to fall through gaps in care.<\/p>\n ” front_side_bg_color=”#FFFFFF” back_side_bg_color=”#B6244F” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” front_title_font=”|600|||||||” front_desc_font_size=”12px” front_desc_line_height=”1.3em” back_title_text_color=”#FFFFFF” back_desc_text_color=”#FFFFFF” back_desc_font_size=”12px” back_desc_line_height=”1.3em” box_shadow_style=”preset3″ box_shadow_color=”rgba(191,168,158,0.3)” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_margin=”28px|||||”][\/dipi_flip_box][dipi_flip_box front_title=”Executive functioning strain is linked to long-term health outcomes” use_front_icon=”on” front_icon=”||fa||900″ front_icon_color=”#B6244F” front_content=”<\/p>\n Chronic stress, trauma, brain injury, and illness all disrupt executive functioning. Over time, this contributes to increased mental health risk, higher physical illness burden, and greater system involvement across disability, housing, employment, and justice settings.<\/p>\n ” back_title=”Stigma and misinterpretation compound the harm” use_back_icon=”on” back_icon=”||fa||900″ back_icon_color=”#FFFFFF” back_content=”<\/p>\n Most health, education, and human service systems assume a high level of self-management. Scheduling appointments, completing paperwork, following treatment plans, navigating insurance, and advocating for care all depend on executive functioning. When capacity is limited, people are more likely to fall through gaps in care.<\/p>\n ” front_side_bg_color=”#FFFFFF” back_side_bg_color=”#B6244F” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” front_title_font=”|600|||||||” front_desc_font_size=”12px” front_desc_line_height=”1.3em” back_title_text_color=”#FFFFFF” back_desc_text_color=”#FFFFFF” back_desc_font_size=”12px” back_desc_line_height=”1.3em” box_shadow_style=”preset3″ box_shadow_color=”rgba(191,168,158,0.3)” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/dipi_flip_box][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”900px” custom_padding=”80px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_heading title=”Our values” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h2″ title_text_align=”center” title_font_size=”60px” title_font_size_tablet=”60px” title_font_size_phone=”40px” title_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”4″ make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”900px” custom_padding=”0px||35px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_blurb title=”Trauma-informed at every level” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”||divi||400″ icon_color=”#B6244F” image_icon_background_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” icon_placement=”left” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” header_level=”h3″ body_font_size=”14px” body_line_height=”1.4em” animation_style=”fade” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n We understand that trauma shapes how people think, regulate, decide, and engage with systems. That reality guides how we design research, tools, and partnerships.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_blurb title=”Access without stigma or shame” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”||divi||400″ icon_color=”#B6244F” image_icon_background_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” icon_placement=”left” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” header_level=”h3″ body_font_size=”14px” body_line_height=”1.4em” animation_style=”fade” animation_delay=”500ms” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n We reject narratives that frame cognitive and emotional strain as moral failure. Our work centers understanding, support, and practical accessibility.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_blurb title=”Evidence that’s always presented honestly” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”||divi||400″ icon_color=”#B6244F” image_icon_background_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” icon_placement=”left” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” header_level=”h3″ body_font_size=”14px” body_line_height=”1.4em” animation_style=”fade” animation_delay=”1000ms” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n We are committed to research that is careful, grounded, and responsive to real-world conditions. Above all, we’re honest about the results of our work.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”4″ make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”600px” custom_padding=”0px||75px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_blurb title=”Human-centered and dignity-first” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”||divi||400″ icon_color=”#B6244F” image_icon_background_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” icon_placement=”left” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” header_level=”h3″ body_font_size=”14px” body_line_height=”1.4em” animation_style=”fade” animation_delay=”1500ms” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n People are not problems to be solved or fixed. We design with, not for, the communities most affected by executive functioning strain.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_blurb title=”Systems-aware by design” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”||divi||400″ icon_color=”#B6244F” image_icon_background_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” icon_placement=”left” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” header_level=”h3″ body_font_size=”14px” body_line_height=”1.4em” animation_style=”fade” animation_delay=”2000ms” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n We recognize that individual capacity is shaped by policy, institutions, and environments, not just personal effort.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ module_id=”mission-standards” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” custom_padding=”||100px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”900px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_heading title=”We’re committed to ethical development and transparency” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h2″ title_text_align=”left” title_font_size=”60px” title_font_size_tablet=”60px” title_font_size_phone=”40px” title_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n TEFI is committed to ethical, consent-based research and development at every stage of our work. We believe data should never be extracted, exploited, or used in ways that harm the very people it represents.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/tefinstitute.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/committed-to-transparency.jpg” title_text=”committed-to-transparency” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” max_width_tablet=”300px” max_width_phone=”200px” max_width_last_edited=”on|phone” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin_tablet=”||30px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”||20px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”right” border_radii=”on|100%|100%|100%|100%” border_width_all=”11px” border_color_all=”#B6244F” box_shadow_style=”preset5″ box_shadow_horizontal=”25px” box_shadow_vertical=”25px” box_shadow_spread=”-5px” box_shadow_color=”rgba(182,36,79,0.5)” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”4″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”900px” custom_padding=”0px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n As our research grows, we will prioritize:<\/p>\n Our goal is to build tools, research, and systems that people can trust because they were built with care from the start.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#6F2A4A” custom_padding=”100px||90px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”900px” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” custom_css_main_element=”align-items:center;” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_heading title=”Interested in joining our board?” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h2″ title_text_color=”#FFFFFF” title_font_size=”48px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” link_font=”|600|||on||||” link_text_color=”#FFFFFF” background_layout=”dark” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n We\u2019d love to connect with people who are thoughtful, grounded, and interested in contributing their skills to a mission-centered, research-driven nonprofit.<\/p>\n\n