The Office of Child Development

The PRIDE Program finished their Parent Village Series last week with "a robust, joyful session." It's always a privilege to come alongside children and families in the community. Special shout out to Medina Jackson, PRIDE director, and team for making the magic happen and to Dr. Rhonda Hall and Linda Vincent from OCD's Division of Family & Community Partnerships for their support and collaboration.

BIG NEWS 📣: We have named the next Executive Director of the Office of Child Development!! Excited to welcome Dr. Levine Brown back “home” to Pitt and OCD come August 2026. 🎊🎊

We are pleased to welcome Dr. Elizabeth "Betsy" Levine Brown as the next Executive Director of The Office of Child Development effective August 15.

Following a national search, she will lead the strategic direction and operations of the OCD — which provides critical support services to thousands of children, youth, and families across Pennsylvania each year. Read more about Dr. Levine Brown and her homecoming to Pitt: https://bit.ly/4eZfPUX

Recently, Family Foundations Early Head Start Mental Health Specialists, LaShawn Hopper, Charlotte King, and Victoria Sabo, along with enrolled mom, Jessica, and her son, had the opportunity to meet with Representative Summer Lee. Representative Lee is sponsoring a bill to expand funding for Head Start/Early Head Start. Jessica shared her story of being enrolled in our program and being engaged in our B.R.A.V.E group. Her story was engaging and powerful and we are thankful for Jessica's willingness to share with the group and for the opportunity to meet with Representative Lee!

Congratulations to Ashley Shafer, Strategic Research & Program Administration Specialist with Family Foundations Early Head Start! Ashley was selected as the recipient of the 2026 Postdoctoral Leadership Award from the University of Pittsburgh Postdoctoral Association (UPPDA). This recognition reflects her leadership with UPPDA and continued involvement in postdoctoral advocacy at both the University and national levels. The award will be presented at the Postdoctoral Research Symposium on April 29th. We are very proud!!

Community engaged scholarship. This is the heart and soul of the Office of Child Development. A few of our OCD staff and a director had the opportunity to present on Tuesday at Pitt's Community Engaged Scholarship Forum hosted by the University of Pittsburgh Office of Engagement and Community Affairs. Dr. Caitlin Spear (Director of the Literacy and Learning Division) and Kim Goldstein (Senior Research and Evaluation Supervisor in the Evaluation and Research Division) co-facilitated a workshop on ecosystem mapping approaches to community-engaged research. Charlotte King and LaShawn Hopper from the Mental Health Team in the Family Foundations Early Head Start Division presented their poster on B.R.A.V.E. (Bold, Resilient, Aware, Victorious, Empowered), a trauma-informed, parent-centered support group co-designed by parents and University of Pittsburgh–affiliated practitioners to serve families prenatal to age three in Allegheny County. We are proud of the work that we do with and for communities!

There's still a few hours left to donate to the Office of Child Development! We've surpassed our donor goal and are so thankful for all of the support. Here's the link to give and support our mission to promote child and family thriving in Allegheny County and beyond: https://pittdayofgiving.com/campaigns/office-of-child-development-fund/?appeal_id=69938840230c24cb24aa40b6

WE MADE IT! Thank you to everyone who donated and supported the OCD as we reached our PDOG goal! If you are still hoping to support, there is still time! Anything helps and all is appreciated.

With your support we can continue to bridge the gap between research, equity, and practice and help children and families thrive!

Visit https://tinyurl.com/yc6vtns4 to donate and https://pittdayofgiving.com/pages/pdog-education to see OCD move up Pitt's School of Education donor leader board!

The PRIDE Program is currently recruiting families raising mixed-race children for a research study. If you or someone you know is raising a multiracial child, would you consider joining this work by completing our 10-minute survey or joining a focus group? See the flyer for more information.

The Office of Child Development attended a convening of the Western PA Early Literacy Team (WPELT) last month and presented their “Reflections from the 3Rs.” Dr. Caitlin Spear, Director of the Literacy and Learning Division, shared results of the 3R’s (Reading, Racial Equity, Relationships) ecosystem-based program that aims to improve early literacy outcomes, particularly for Black students, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

We're searching for the next Executive Director of the Office of Child Development! This community-engaged researcher will hold a faculty appointment in the University of Pittsburgh School of Education. Apply today and help us to spread the word! 👏💜🗣️

Faculty.Professor.Associate - Full-Time Click the link provided to see the complete job description.