Advantage Public Institute

ABOUT US

Advantage Public Institute (API) was founded with a commitment to making holistic and culturally responsive mental wellness accessible to everyone. We are dedicated to addressing social and psychological challenges by developing practical, efficient, and cost-effective solutions. API is a hub for counseling, education, advocacy, and research, blending expertise with compassion to empower individuals and communities. Our approach prioritizes understanding diverse experiences and fostering meaningful change that resonates deeply across cultures and contexts.

Our mission is to improve access to effective mental healthcare in marginalized communities.

API is dedicated to using social science research to gain insight into human relations to inform educators, healthcare professionals, corporations, and communities. We aim to develop evidence-based solutions that influence policy and programming, with a focus on women and youth.

Our vision

We envision the widespread use of best practices for fostering holistic wellness in diverse communities.
We are developing culturally responsive evidence-based strategies that are effective in eradicating the mental health epidemic in marginalized groups.
We strive to contribute to the body of knowledge encompassing counselor education of social and emotional health by research through partners and internal programs.

OUR HISTORY

In 2017 Advantage Public Institute launched with ‘Ms. Carter’s Class of CLASS’ for girls as its signature program in Oklahoma City.

Upon the founder’s return home to Southern California in 2019, the organization expanded to include fiscal sponsorship for the grassroots organizations making community investments. These human service-oriented business partners became arms for our cross-cultural interdisciplinary mental wellness research.

The growing needs of 21st century students spurred API’s School Service department, which uses a three pronged approach to supporting key education stakeholders: students, faculty, and families. Our programs improve teacher wellness and teach youth valuable lessons on citizenship and responsibility.

Through the years, API’s research has been instrumental in deciphering behavioral health perspectives for K-12 and adult education leaders, foster systems, law enforcement, and other professional associations. We are proud to be of service, making sense of mental health.