Cinda Clark, Ph.D.
Research Coordinator III
Anita Zucker Center for Excellence in Early Childhood Studies
Biography
Dr. Clark is currently a coordinator for a Florida Early Steps Model Demonstration Project. This project involves development, implementation, and evaluation of a professional development system focused on coaching early intervention providers to implement evidence-based intervention practices that support the social, emotional and communication outcomes of infants and toddlers with or at risk for disabilities or delays. Dr. Clark’s research interests are related to application of active implementation science frameworks for supporting early intervention practitioners and the development and learning of infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families. These interests include identifying levels of early intervention dose and implementation fidelity necessary to achieve desired outcomes for young children and their families, and enhancing the social-emotional competence of young children with disabilities.
Dr. Clark earned her doctor of philosophy degree from the University of Florida in 2016. Her major area of study was special education with a minor in research evaluation and methodology and a coursework concentration in early childhood studies. Her dissertation was entitled Effects of Family Supports and Family and Child Risk Factors on Home Visiting Dose and Family Outcomes in Early Head Start. The purpose of this research was to examine the extent to which different categories of family support represented in the Early Head Start Research and Evaluation Project data set accounted for the effect of cumulative dose of home visiting on parent interactions and home environment quality to help inform adaptive approaches to home-based early intervention programs.
As a doctoral student, Dr. Clark was involved in two efficacy and replication projects funded by the Institute of Education Sciences that focused on professional development to implement evidence-based practices in inclusive preschool settings and one development and innovation project focused on an early intervention approach that helps parents and other caregivers provide embedded learning opportunities for infants and toddlers with disabilities during daily routines and activities. Prior to enrolling in the doctoral program at the University of Florida, Dr. Clark had research experience in the fields of early childhood mental health and lifelong disability services.
Selected Publications
Book and Monograph Chapters
Clark, C., & Snyder P. (2016). Family-centered practices. In D. Couchenour & J. K. Chrisman (Eds.), The SAGE Encyclopedia of Contemporary Early Childhood Education. SAGE Publications, Inc.
Peer-Reviewed Publications and Journal Articles
Luo, L., Snyder, P., Clark, C., & Hong, X. (2017). Preschool teachers’ use of Pyramid Model practices in mainland China. Infants and Young Children, 30(3), 221-237. https://doi.org/10.1097/IYC.0000000000000096
Selected Links
Degrees
Ph.D. in Special Education, Minor in Research and Evaluation Methodology, University of Florida, 2016
M.S.W., Tulane University, 2002
B.S. in Speech Communication, Magna cum laude, Texas Christian University, 2001
Key UF Professional Appointments
Post-Doctoral Associate, Anita Zucker Center for Excellence in Early Childhood Studies, University of Florida, 2016 – present
Graduate Research Assistant, Anita Zucker Center for Excellence in Early Childhood Studies, University of Florida, 2011 – 2016
Select Honors, Awards and Appointments
David Lawrence Jr. Endowment Graduate Assistantship, University of Florida, 2012 – 2016
Alumni Endowment Graduate Fellowship, College of Education, University of Florida, 2011
Rosser Family Graduate Scholarship, College of Education, University of Florida, 2011
Editorial Appointments
Guest Reviewer, Young Exceptional Children, 2013 – present