Dr. Channing L. Collins

Dr. Channing L. Collins is the founder and lead architect of The Collins Institute for Child & Family Systems, where she partners with public agencies, tribal governments, nonprofit organizations, and philanthropic organizations to strengthen child welfare systems through implementation-focused consulting, policy development, leadership advising, and organizational transformation. With more than a decade of executive and administrative leadership experience in child welfare, Dr. Collins has served in local and state government leadership roles and has dedicated her career to helping organizations move from ideas and recommendations to practical implementation and measurable systems improvement. Her work includes the development of the Family Systems Innovation Lab (FSIL), the Collins Imminent Harm Standard (CIHS), the Elizabeth Ophelia Child & Family Governance Framework, and the Institute’s implementation methodology for large-scale systems reform.

Dr. Collins is an internationally published scholar, author, and keynote speaker whose work bridges research, practice, and public policy. She earned her PhD in criminal justice with a specialization in law and public policy, holds a Master of Dispute Resolution from Pepperdine University, and is completing a Master of Legal Studies with a concentration in human rights. Dr. Collins has authored peer-reviewed publications, contributed to national child welfare publications, and has been recognized for her leadership and innovation in advancing child and family systems. Her keynote presentations focus on child welfare systems, implementation strategy, leadership, governance, organizational change, and the future of public service, providing audiences with practical strategies they can immediately apply within their own organizations.