Exploring developmental risk, resilience

Internationally renowned experts to address CEHD symposium April 21

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3:49 p.m., April 11, 2011--Some children, youth and their families are remarkably resilient in the face of serious risks to their development.  The study of developmental resilience focuses on identifying the factors that increase competence across the life span despite the presence of serious adversity. On Thursday, April 21, four internationally renowned experts will discuss developmental resilience at a day-long symposium sponsored by the University of Delaware’s College of Education and Human Development (CEHD).

The symposium will take place from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. in the Rodney Room of the Perkins Student Center on the UD campus in Newark.

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“The potential development of many people is limited by inadequate resources, physical and psychological abuse or poor education. This symposium will enable Delaware’s scholars, practitioners, and policy makers to discuss what can be done to mitigate these risks,” explains Ralph Ferretti, professor in the School of Education. 

Barbara Settles, professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies, notes that, "families, communities and schools provide the nexus for encouraging resiliency and the interactions that are key to improved outcomes." Professors Ferretti and Settles are co-organizers of the symposium.

Featured speakers include Ann Masten of the University of Minnesota, Sharon and Craig Ramey, of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and Gary Bowen of the University of North Carolina, who will address the factors that increase resilience and explain how social policies may affect the resilience of at-risk children, families and communities. 

“Developmental resilience is a key theme of many the college’s academic and research programs, states Nancy Brickhouse, interim dean. “Our goal with this symposium is to promote the development of people and their communities, including those who face the greatest risks.”

Symposium topics will include:

  • Risk and Resilience in Development: Children from Homeless and Extremely Disadvantaged Families;
  • Theory-Driven Interventions to Alter Developmental Trajectories: The Role of Environmental Supports to Boost Resilience;
  • Children’s Right to Thrive: Enhancing Competence across the Lifespan and Generations; and
  • Pathways to School Success: A Risk and Resilience Perspective.

There is no registration fee. Organizers encourage attendance for entire day, but registration is also available for the morning or afternoon sessions. RSVP to Laura Marino to indicate attendance at the morning, afternoon or full day session. 

The Developmental Resilience Symposium is part of a colloquium series hosted by the College of Education and Human Development: Nancy W. Brickhouse, interim dean; co-chairs, Ralph P. Ferretti, professor of education and Barbara H. Settles, professor of human development and family studies. Co-sponsored by the School of Education, Robert Hampel, interim director, and the Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Donald G. Unger, chair.

Article by Alison Burris

 

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