From the University Laboratory to the National Laboratory: Developmental Researchers and Head Start

By Brenda Jones Harden

Developmental researchers conduct laboratory-based scientific studies on developmental processes experienced by children as they mature. But they seldom have the opportunity to use their work to influence social policy issues that affect children's development. The Society for Research in Child Development (SRCD), the major professional organization for developmental researchers, offers a unique professional development experience to researchers who want to apply their skills in national policy settings.

This year, SRCD has provided nine resident scholars to work in congressional and executive branch offices in the Washington, D.C. area. Fellows are assigned to the National Institute of Mental Health, the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, the National Institute of Drug Abuse, the Department of Education, and the Administration for Children, Youth and Families (ACYF) of the Department of Health and Human Services. Three SRCD Fellows have been placed in the Commissioner's Office for Research and Evaluation (CORE) at the ACYF and work on a variety of Head Start and other child policy research initiatives. Dr. Rhonda Boyd is coordinating the Head Start mental health research consortium. Dr. Carol Kuhns is working on the Head Start and Early Head Start impact evaluations, and the Head Start Quality Research Centers. Dr. Brenda Jones Harden is supporting the Head Start Graduate Student Scholars effort, as well as working on the Head Start and Early Head Start impact evaluations.

Although this program was initiated to provide developmental research expertise to agency and congressional settings, the professional development opportunities for the Fellows are endless. A major benefit for the Fellows is being involved in large-scale, national studies that have policy implications. Fellows develop skills in sampling, designing evaluations, analyzing data, and disseminating studies. They also have the opportunity to begin self-directed projects related to Head Start (e.g., home visiting and child care via Head Start). Most importantly, they become more aware of the policy implications of all the research in which they are involved.

In addition to the learning experiences that come from their work on specific research projects, SRCD Fellows also participate in monthly meetings at SRCD in which speakers address a variety of topics related to child policy and research. Some of the meetings are held jointly with policy fellows of the American Psychological Association. Fellows also have attended lectures sponsored by the Council on Early Childhood Professional Recognition for the Head Start Fellows.

An important aspect of the fellows' learning experience is the mentorship they receive within and outside of their placements. The individual mentor from CORE assists the Fellow to establish and implement a work plan that includes the projects and learning experiences that will occur over the year. The external mentor–often a former SRCD Fellow–addresses larger professional development issues with the fellows, including how to integrate a policy focus into their research and how to secure policy-related employment after the fellowship year ends.

The goal of developmental research is to explore the many processes that propel a child toward adulthood. Through the SRCD Public Policy Fellowship, developmental researchers have the opportunity to participate in activities that promote their own development. They utilize their theoretical and empirical knowledge to make a contribution to Head Start and other policies that promote development in young children from low-income backgrounds. Moreover, they experience what is often elusive in academia–a concentrated effort to enhance their own development as scholars and as advocates for children.

Brenda Jones Harden is an SRCD Fellow, Commissioner's Office for Research and Evaluation, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. She can be reached at T: 202-260-8515.

For further information on the SRCD Public Policy Fellowship program, access the SRCD Web site at http://www.srcd.org.