Federal Support for Early Learning and Development Research: Current Research Priorities

Session Type: Federal Agency Professional Development Symposium

Abstract

Investments in early childhood can improve health and development throughout the lifespan. The federal government addresses early learning and development racial/ethnic, socioeconomic, and disability disparities through research and programming. Representatives from National Centers’ for Education Research and Special Education Research of the Department of Education (ED), Health and Human Service’s Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)— within National Institutes of Health (NIH)—and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will discuss current priorities, initiatives, and funding opportunities aimed at advancing developmental science research through a health equity lens. Specifically, ED will present funding opportunities and research initiatives that support children’s school readiness skills and address opportunity gaps, education inequities, and inclusion for young children with or at risk for disabilities. ACF will share research funding opportunities and priorities on early care and education related to the Child Care and Development Fund and the Head Start/Early Head Start program. NICHD will highlight the Early Learning and School Readiness Program including longitudinal early intervention research with children birth through 8 years from economically and socially disadvantaged backgrounds. NIDA will discuss current research on the impact of exposure to drugs on early childhood development and learning, racial/ethnic disparities, early childhood risk and protective factors associated with later substance use, and prevention of substance use. Finally, CDC will share public-health-related child development programs along with data and opportunities at the CDC, with a focus on equity.

Sub Unit

• Federal Agency Sessions

Chair

• Lara R Robinson, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Individual Presentations

• Investing in Early Childhood Research to Improve School Readiness, Address Equity and Inclusion, and Inform Early Childhood Policy and Practice - Presenting Author: Amy L Sussman, Institute of Education Sciences; Non-Presenting Author: Caroline M Ebanks, Institute of Education Sciences

• Priorities for Early Care and Education Research at the Administration for Children and Families - Presenting Author: Amanda Coleman, Administration for Children and Families; Non-Presenting Author: Tracy Carter Clopet, United States Office of Planning, Research & Evaluation (OPRE)

• Early Learning and Development Research at the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development - Presenting Author: James A Griffin, National Institutes of Health (NIH)

• Early Learning and Development Research at the National Institute on Drug Abuse - Presenting Author: Minki Chatterji, National Institutes of Health (NIH); Non-Presenting Author: Aria Crump, National Institute on Drug Abuse

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Public Health Approach to Supporting Early Learning and Development: Research and Opportunities through a Health Equity Lens - Presenting Author: Lara R Robinson, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Non-Presenting Author: Angelika Hartl Claussen, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention