Education and Child Development

The Education and Child Development Department engages in clinical-based research that studies the impact of prematurity on development and health outcomes. The research has implications for medical treatments, potential interventions and policy changes.

• assesses the developmental outcomes of infants who were in the neonatal intensive care unit, experienced a lack of oxygen and received a CoolCap treatment;
• determines the long-term social-emotional and academic outcomes of 1st grade children with a history of prematurity.

• efficacy of early childhood programs on child and family outcomes.
• interventions that promote early literacy practices.
• strategies that promote parent-school partnerships.
• the effectiveness of implementing two generation programming.
• interventions designed to close the achievement gap for at-risk students including extended school year, instructional coaching and positive behavioral supports and birth to age 8 programming to engage families and increase quality instruction.

TIPS

Tracking Infant Progress Statewide is a clinical project funded by DHSS with the goal of standardizing the system of follow up for high risk newborns in the state. Neurodevelopmental outcome data is collected and analyzed to ensure ongoing screening that maximizes early identification of developmental problems. Under the direction of Howard Needelman MD and Kerry Miller, PhD, the findings from the project help to guarantee appropriate developmental follow up for children and allows NICU staff evaluate the care they provide. The information collected helps other families know what may be expected in their child’s development.