UNC Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute

Jessica Amsbary, PhD, is a technical assistance specialist at the UNC Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute (FPG) where she engages in research and development related to STEM innovations for young children with disabilities and supporting provider and family use of evidence-based practices for toddlers with autism. As part of our FPG profile series, we spoke with Amsbary to learn more about her work here at the Institute.

A graduate student in the department of anthropology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Julia Mackessy was recently named the winner of the 2024 James J. Gallagher Dissertation Award from the UNC Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute (FPG). The award—which honors the legacy of the late Jim Gallagher, FPG director from 1970 to 1987—provides a $4,500 stipend for a work-in-progress that is reflective of Gallagher's legacy of advancing policy and practice that supports children and families.

To kick off the upcoming development of state-wide resources on math, literacy and social emotional learning for North Carolina pre-K providers, leaders from FPG, in partnership with the NC DCDEE, co-hosted “Embracing Joy in pre-K Literacy, Math, and Socioemotional Learning NC pre-K Summit” in June. #preK #Literacy #EarlyEducation

FPG faculty fellows play a vital role in our work. They have a primary appointment in an academic or health affairs department, while also actively and substantially participating in research, evaluation, implementation, or technical assistance projects at FPG. As valued members of the Institute, they foster innovative and interdisciplinary work and enhance our collaborations and impact across campus and beyond. In our Faculty Fellow Profile series, we showcase some of these remarkable individuals and their outstanding contributions at the University and in collaboration with FPG. Learn more: https://go.unc.edu/Cy5i6

Nissa Towe-Goodman, PhD, is a research scientist at FPG. Her research examines the interplay between the early family environment and the development of regulatory skills, and the implications of regulatory deficits for children's adaptation and mental health. Towe-Goodman currently serves as an investigator on the Family Life Project, Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (FLP-ECHO) project. As part of our FPG profile series, we spoke with Towe-Goodman to learn more about her work here at the Institute: https://go.unc.edu/o9TXw

Sherra Lawrence, MA, is an implementation specialist at the UNC Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute. She leads projects and initiatives to improve the access and quality of programs, policies, and practices for children and families. As part of our FPG profile series, we spoke with Lawrence to learn more about her work at FPG. Learn more: https://go.unc.edu/Rc97G #ChildDevelopment #Implementation

At FPG, we are committed to conducting research and evaluation studies that improve children’s lives, support families, and inform public policy. Through rigorous study design, data collection and analysis, and dissemination, we seek to identify factors that shape development from infancy to adolescence and to develop and test the effectiveness of interventions, public policies, and public programs. Learn more about FPG's research and evaluation work: https://go.unc.edu/Ys95G #Research #Evaluation #ChildDevelopment

Meet the keynote speakers for STEMIEFest 2024! Me the incredible keynote speakers for the STEM Innovation for Inclusion in Early Education Center's upcoming virtual conference on October 14-15, 2024! Get ready to be inspired by these leading experts in as they share their insights and knowledge on STEM and disabilities: Wanda Liz Díaz Merced, PhD - Faculty at Universidad del Sagrado Corazón Kathleen Bogart, PhD - Professor, School of Psychological Science, Oregon State University Read their bios and learn more: https://lnkd.in/esWyjJ8A #STEM #STEMLearning #Inclusion

Utilizing her background as a speech-language pathologist, Jessica Steinbrenner, PhD, centers her research on children with autism, with a focus on school-based interventions and individuals on the spectrum with significant communication needs. Steinbrenner, an associate professor in the Department of Health Sciences of the UNC School of Medicine, is also a faculty fellow at the UNC Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute, a role she began in 2021. Learn more: https://go.unc.edu/Mm4k9 #Autism #ChildDevelopment #SpeechLanguagePathology

Nathan Jorgensen, PhD, is a postdoctoral research associate for the Equity Research Action Coalition. He has extensive training in quantitative methodology and advanced statistical modeling. His research focuses on how cultural systems shape identity and social development across the lifespan. He is also interested in historical and socio-political perspectives on psychological theory and research. Learn more: https://go.unc.edu/Hn29Z #Equity #Research #ChildDevelopment