CZI Kernels Project

There is now a pressing need to develop and test less intensive strategies that comprise an array of flexible and differentiated social, emotional, and behavioral supports, particularly for children exposed to poverty-related stressors and adverse experiences. These strategies can be designed to be adaptable to individual, classroom, and school-specific needs and easy to implement outside the context of a comprehensive program, while still achieving meaningful outcomes. The Kernels project aims to develop and test a set of evidence-based kernels of practice that represent a smaller-scale, personalized approach to SEL, thereby increasing feasibility, sustainability, and impact across settings. Ultimately, our goal is to draw upon the pilots we have completed to date to further develop, refine, and test a set of kernels that can be deployed and effectively integrated into daily practices.