September 15, 2025

Hope isn’t just a feeling—it’s a way of thinking. If we want hope to grow in the children and families we serve, we first need to examine ourselves.

By now, you should have received an email from Angela Pharris at the University of Oklahoma with a link to complete the Hope Survey.

Please take a few minutes to fill it out—the survey takes less than 10 minutes to complete. All responses are anonymous and will be collected and analyzed by the University of Oklahoma to ensure full confidentiality.

If you have any questions, please contact Business Development Officer Mike Groher or COO Allison Sanderson. Click here for more information.

September 8, 2025

Hope isn’t just a feeling—it’s a way of thinking. Research defines hope as the belief that the future will be better than the past and that we have the power to make it so.

If we want hope to grow in the children and families we serve, we first need to examine ourselves. Beginning today, September 8, and continuing through Friday, September 19, all employees and Board Members are invited to participate in two surveys—the Adult Hope Scale and the Collective Hope Scale.

These assessments are created and administered by Dr. Chan Hellman, Director of the Hope Research Center at the University of Oklahoma and are designed to measure hope within our organization.

Please watch your inboxes for an email from the University of Oklahoma. The surveys take approximately 10 minutes to complete. All responses are anonymous and will be collected and analyzed by the University of Oklahoma to ensure full confidentiality.

If you have any questions, please contact Business Development Officer Mike Groher or COO Allison Sanderson.

To learn more, read President and CEO Michelle Lavallee’s email below.

Dear CHS Team Members,

As part of our commitment to building a culture of resilience and well-being, we are pleased to share that our organization is partnering with Dr. Chan Hellman, Director of the Hope Research Center at the University of Oklahoma, to measure hope within our organization.

Between Monday, September 8 and Friday, September 19, all employees and Board Members will be invited to participate in the Adult Hope Scale and Collective Hope Scale surveys. These assessments will be built and administered directly by Dr. Hellman through the University of Oklahoma. During this time, you should expect to receive an email from the University of Oklahoma with your personal survey link.

Why Are We Measuring Hope?

Hope is more than a feeling—it is a way of thinking and a powerful predictor of well-being. Research defines hope as the belief that the future will be better than the past and that we have the power to make it so. Hope includes:

• Goals – identifying meaningful aims for the future,
• Pathways – finding strategies to achieve those goals, and
• Agency – the motivation and willpower to pursue them, even through challenges.

Extensive research has shown that higher hope is associated with:

• Lower levels of stress, burnout, and turnover,
• Greater success in school, work, and relationships, and
• Stronger, more connected communities.

By measuring hope, we are creating an opportunity to better understand ourselves—both as individuals and as an organization. The insights gained will provide a shared framework and common language for strengthening our culture and guiding future growth.

This hope assessment will also complement future employee engagement surveys, allowing us to build a more complete picture of employee well-being and organizational health. Together, these tools will help us make informed decisions that support our people and strengthen our collective impact.

Importantly, Dr. Chan Hellman will assist our organization in reviewing results, drawing comparisons and insights across surveys, and working with leaders to establish benchmark criteria for growing hope throughout the organization.

What to Expect

• Survey Administration: September 8–19, 2025
• Email From: University of Oklahoma (Dr. Chan Hellman)
• Length: Fewer than 10 minutes to complete
• Confidentiality: Responses are anonymous and will be collected and analyzed by the University of Oklahoma to ensure full confidentiality.

Thank you in advance for your participation. Together, we are taking an important step toward strengthening our organization by embracing the science of hope.

If you have questions about the survey process, please contact Mike Groher and/or Allison Sanderson.

Sincerely,

Michelle