Clarkson Professor Awarded Federal Grant to Advance Early Head Start Research and Outcomes

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September 12, 2024

Clarkson University Assistant Professor of Psychology Ying Zhang has been awarded a $99,992 grant by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Office of the Administration for Children & Families. This grant supports her research project to enhance the understanding of Early Head Start services by linking program user profiles to outcomes in children's emotional regulation and parenting.

Early Head Start is a unique and comprehensive two-generation program that provides a range of child and family development services specifically designed to support and promote the healthy development of low-income pregnant women, infants, and toddlers. Zhang will utilize the Early Head Start Family and Child Experiences Study dataset to examine how various program experiences in Early Head Start influence child development and family wellness.

Her research takes a person-centered approach and employs latent growth curve modeling, going beyond individual program components to explore how various service profiles influence changes in children's social-emotional development, parenting practices, parenting stress, and maternal mental health.

"This study will provide critical insights into the practices and experiences that drive positive outcomes in Early Head Start programs, enabling us to tailor services to meet the unique needs of diverse families and effectively communicate their value," said Zhang.

This grant will support two undergraduate psychology students for full-time summer research in 2025 and their attendance at the 2025 Child Care and Early Education Policy Research Consortium in Washington, D.C., offering valuable research and professional development opportunities.

For more information about Clarkson University's Psychology Department, click here.