How to Grow an IRIS Network

Every community has families who need support. The challenge? Services often exist in silos, leaving families to navigate a confusing maze of providers and programs on their own. That’s why CPPR created IRIS—a community-based referral system that connects providers and makes it easier for families to get the help they need. IRIS is more than technology—it’s a movement powered by partnerships. Across Kansas, Illinois, and other states, IRIS helps communities plant the seeds of collaboration, grow trust among partners, and harvest real results for families.

Step 1: Spark the Vision

Every network begins with a champion. The champion looks like you! A local leader of schools, health providers, nonprofits, and early childhood advocates who come together around a shared purpose: making it easier for families to access the right services at the right time.

Step 2: Build the Network

IRIS combines a user-friendly referral platform with robust implementation support. This empowers community-led leadership teams to build buy-in, accountability, and long-term sustainability. Leaders and organizations gather to create a system that reflects their community’s unique needs.

Step 3: Celebrate the Impact

Below are a couple of examples of IRIS Networks on the move.

• 130,000+ referrals completed nationwide
• 685+ Kansas partners across healthcare, education, housing, and early childhood
• 44 Illinois counties and 57 school districts engaged
• Thousands of families connected to critical supports like housing, food, childcare, and healthcare 

Families thrive. Children are ready to learn. Providers save valuable time. Communities become healthier, stronger, more connected. 

Voices of Champions

IRIS Champion with a Kansas public health department:

“You have to have a vision and a plan for your community. You have to be organized and tenacious. You have to celebrate the successes and use the barriers you face to make you stronger and look for solutions. Many of the families we serve are in crisis. They face barriers such as language, literacy, low economic status, high levels of trauma and discrimination. If using IRIS to eliminate even one or two of those barriers makes the client feel valued and their needs get met, this is success.”

That’s the power of IRIS. It’s not just a referral tool – it’s a community problem-solving engine. 

Ready to Grow a Network?

Whether you want to strengthen connections in your community or lead the charge as an IRIS Champion, we’re here to help. Together, we can build something powerful.

Contact us today to learn more about growing an IRIS Network in your community. Follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn.