Dr. Walter Gilliam, executive director of the Buffett Early Childhood Institute at the University of Nebraska, and Dr. Joshua Sparrow, executive director of the Brazelton Touchpoint Center in the Division of Developmental Medicine at Boston Children’s Hospital, have been honored with the inaugural Parents as Teachers Research Trailblazers Award for their groundbreaking research in early childhood development and family support.
Their exceptional contributions were celebrated at the 2024 Parents as Teachers International Conference in San Diego, CA, in front of over 2,000 early child development professionals. This award honors their influential work in early childhood education and dedication to addressing the social, economic, and racism-related determinants of health and mental health.
With 180,000 families served in all 50 U.S. states, 115 tribal organizations, six other countries, and one U.S. territory, Parents as Teachers’ evidence-based home visiting model is backed by 40 years of research-proven outcomes for children and families.
Dr. Gilliam’s work focuses on translating research into effective policies and practices for enhancing the quality of pre-kindergarten and child care services. Dr. Sparrow’s work centers on community self-strengthening, community-based prevention, and health promotion. Their collaborative efforts and research have helped to shape the programs and services offered by Parents as Teachers, contributing to the organization’s 40 years of success in strengthening families and developing children.
“We are excited to announce the recipients of our inaugural Research Trailblazers Award in honor of our 40th anniversary of Parents as Teachers as well as our research efforts. These exceptional individuals have made significant contributions to the field of early childhood education and family support. This deepened understanding is crucial for continuously improving the services we provide, ensuring that they are both effective and responsive to the families’ needs,” said Allison Kemner, MPH, senior vice president and chief research officer at Parents as Teachers National Center.
Kemner oversees the Parents as Teachers research and learning activities and collaborates with a research network to advance the organization’s research and learning agenda. Additionally, she oversees the data collection, analysis, and dissemination of information about the impact and reach of Parents as Teachers.
Dr. Gilliam’s work has been influenced by his mentorship by and collaboration with Dr. Edward Zigler, a leading figure in applying developmental psychology to social policy, known to many as the “Father of Head Start.” Dr. Zigler engaged in early Parents as Teachers research and was a board member. To read Dr. Gilliam’s full bio, click here.
“It is humbling to be recognized by an incredible organization that has markedly improved the lives of hundreds of thousands of young children around the globe. Through their innovative home visiting model and by centering families as young children’s first and most important teachers, Parents as Teachers is the trailblazer,” said Gilliam.
Dr. Joshua Sparrow was mentored by and diligently worked with Dr. T. Berry Brazelton, an internationally renowned expert on child development, researcher, author, and pediatrician. Dr. Brazelton established the Brazelton Touchpoint Center and was an early and essential member of the Parents as Teachers board of directors. To read his full bio, click here.
Upon receiving the award, he said: “I am grateful for this recognition, but all the credit really belongs to my beloved research colleagues at the Brazelton Touchpoints Center, and to the Parents as Teachers’ brilliant research team. They know that, from birth, babies are researchers, and that it is the home visitors, children, and parents themselves who are the knowledge makers. They know that it is the parents who are our teachers.”
Parents as Teachers’ four-day conference in San Diego featured discussions on trends in home visiting, community engagement, collaborations and partnerships, diversity, equity and inclusion, health and wellness, parenting, and child education. This year, the organization is celebrating its 40th anniversary of strengthening families and developing children.
Dr. Walter Gilliam, executive director of the Buffett Early Childhood Institute at the University of Nebraska, (second from left) accepts the Research Trailblazer Award from (left) Parents as Teachers National Center’s Board Chair, Dr. Mark Ginsberg, Dr. Mary Louise Hemmeter, a board director and Research Council chair; Allison Kemner, senior vice president and chief research officer; and Constance Gully, president and CEO. Photo by Mary Sue Gee.
Dr. Joshua Sparrow, executive director of the Brazelton Touchpoint Center in the Division of Developmental Medicine at Boston Children’s Hospital, accepts the Research Trailblazer Award from (left) Parents as Teachers National Center’s Board Chair, Dr. Mark Ginsberg, Allison Kemner, senior vice president and chief research officer, and Constance Gully, president and CEO. Photo by Mary Sue Gee.