University of Oregon

Northwest Prevention Science, Inc., headquartered in Eugene, is the exclusive provider of training in The Family Check-Up®, which is an evidence-based intervention model focused on improving the mental health and behavior of children aged 2-17 through supportive parenting and family relationships. The Family Check-Up® originated from research conducted by faculty at the University of Oregon’s College of Education and has been developed into a digital health model for wide-scale implementation in schools and community mental health service settings.

Penderia Technologies Inc., founded in 2020, is an orthopedic implant technology startup aiming to use real-time data to better monitor injury and healing progress. The company was established by University of Oregon Department of Bioengineering faculty in collaboration with the University of Oregon Phil and Penny Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact.

Northwest Prevention Science, Inc. drives economic growth by improving children’s mental health and behavior, reducing long-term costs for healthcare, education, and social services. The Family Check-Up® program strengthens family relationships and creates healthier communities, fostering greater productivity and academic success.

The development, evaluation, and clinical trials of the Family Check-Up® model, which focused on assessing its efficacy, have been funded through federal grants awarded to multiple principal investigators at the University of Oregon. Over the past 20 years, these grants and contracts, primarily from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Department of Education (ED), have amounted to more than $30 million. This research led to the development of the Family Check-Up® Online and the Family Check-Up® in-person delivery systems, which are widely used today across the United States. By offering a scalable digital health model, the company expands access to evidence-based interventions, generating jobs in mental health services and enhancing community resilience.

Penderia Technologies is working on creating implants and sensors to inform rehabilitation therapies that address workforce challenges by helping individuals recover from injuries, remain employed, and fill critical gaps in the labor market. The company received a Phase I grant in 2021 through the NIH’s Small Business Innovation Research program. It was recently awarded $1.7 million for Phase II, funding work from August 2024 through July 2026 to further develop these impactful innovations. Taken together, this federal funding supports the advancement of rehabilitation technologies, ensuring individuals receive the care they need to recover and remain active members of society.

The University of Oregon’s College of Education is one of the nation’s highest ranked programs, boasting a decades-long record of national and international research and development in special education, prevention science, counseling psychology, educational leadership, and school psychology. Faculty have a long tradition of translating research into effective models, methods and measures that improve the lives of students and families across the country. More than 29,000 schools in the U.S. use University of Oregon’s College of Education research tools, and 43 commercial education products are currently on the market.

The University of Oregon’s Phil and Penny Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact fosters a dynamic ecosystem for innovation and entrepreneurship, translating groundbreaking federally funded research into impactful companies and transformative technologies. Established just eight years ago, the Knight Campus is making a significant impact on scientific research and economic growth in Oregon by supporting small businesses and establishing itself as a West Coast innovation leader, inspiring regional collaboration in scientific research and catalyzing job creation. Approximately 20 percent of the Knight Campus’ funding comes from federal investments, which powers its cutting edge research and development initiatives.