UROP Project

Equity in Early Intervention: A Mixed-Methods Pilot Study of a Professional Development Program on Culturally Responsive Practices

equity, early childhood, cultural responsiveness, early intervention
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Research Mentor: Ms. Diana Lucía Abarca, She/Her
Department, College, Affiliation: Communication Science and Disorders, Communication and Information
Contact Email: da20dm@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor): Dr. Mollie Romano She/her
Research Assistant Supervisor Email: mollie.romano@cci.fsu.edu
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Looking for Research Assistants: Yes
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: Open to all majors
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required:
Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: 10 hours, During business hours
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link: September 5: 2pm-2:30pm https://fsu.zoom.us/j/99897975711
September 7: 12:00pm-12:30pm https://fsu.zoom.us/j/99897975711

Project Description

This is a pilot study of a professional development program on culturally responsive practices (CRP) aimed towards early intervention providers. The study aims (1) to develop a professional development program for EI providers on CRP in collaboration with community stakeholders; (2) to evaluate the effects of a PD program on EI providers’ knowledge and understanding of CRP; and (3) to evaluate the social validity of a PD program for EI providers across the perspectives of various community stakeholders.

Research Tasks: participant recruitment: sending emails out, cold-calling agencies
material development: using graphic design software to develop intervention materials
developing outcome measures: using survey software to upload survey questions
participant & data management: communicating with participants, monitoring data collection and organization
attending workshops: attend PD workshops to assist with facilitation as needed
data collection assistance: helping to conduct focus groups/interviews, sending out surveys, assisting with interview transcriptions.
data entry & analysis: analyzing interview data, assisting with inputting data into database

Skills that research assistant(s) may need: -proficient command of technology, including Microsoft office - required
-is relatable and approachable - required
-has knowledge on equity initiatives/cultural responsiveness - recommended
-is creative - recommended

Mentoring Philosophy

I have been a student in higher education for nine years now, and have had wonderful mentorship experiences, and some not-so-wonderful experiences! I use these experiences and my desire for an equitable and asset-based research lab to build my mentoring philosophy. My top priority for your mentorship experience is to impact your learning- whether that is learning of content or learning about your academic interests and disinterests. I do this through an approach in which I delegate tasks that interest you and speak to your existing talents and skills. I encourage input and communication from all in the team, regardless of your "expertise" in the subject area, as I believe that everyone has unique contributions to make to the project. I value respect, honesty, inclusion, and flexibility. I support all your interests and commitments, and will hold you up to high expectations to push you towards excellence. I expect transparent and constant communication so that I can be compassionate towards all that life hands you. I also take a stance of mentorship that expands past this research study-- I am here as a resource and support system for all your academic, and even personal, endeavors.

Additional Information


Link to Publications

https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=ExvgDKEAAAAJ&hl=en
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