Partnering with parents as co-designers in research design and implementation can help uncover new and vital ways of understanding early childhood relationships.
Nurture Connection hosted an exciting conversation on Tuesday, October 21st, 2025 about the power of codesign in Early Relational Health (ERH) research by centering parent voices.
Presenters shared reflections on the codesign process of developing an an exciting new large-scale co-design study, and emerging themes from its preliminary findings.
Guest Speakers (Bios):
- Dani Dumitriu, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Director, Center for Early Relational Health, Columbia University
- Tiffany Solomon, Parent Leader, Reach Out and Read
- Deepa Srinivasavaradan, Parent Leader, Reach Out and Read
- Steven Thibert, Parent Leader, Nurture Connection Family Network Collaborative
Moderated by:
- Nikki Shearman, PhD, Chief of Research & Innovation, Reach Out and Read
Event Resources:
- Webinar Slide Deck
- Discover more reflections from parent leaders in Part I of our Power of Codesign in Research webinar series: “How Parent Partnership Supports Practice Transformation” – Read here and watch the Part I recording
- Other links and resources shared during the presentation:
- Learn more about the Center for Early Relational Health (CERH): www.vagelos.columbia.edu/CERH
- Learn more about Reach Out and Read: https://reachoutandread.org/
- Article co-authored by Dani and Nikki about an evaluation strategy focused on connections and relationships – Read here
- Read the new NASEM Consensus report Early Relational Health: Building Foundations, which emphasizes asset-based approaches, family and community leadership, workforce supports, and cross-sector collaboration to promote ERH across health care, education, and social systems – Read here
- Learn more about the nearly 100 Parent Training and Information Centers (PTIs) and Community Parent Resource Centers (CPRCs) in the US and Territories working with families of infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities, birth to 26. These centers help parents participate effectively in their children’s education and development, and partner with professionals and policy makers to improve outcomes for all children with disabilities. – Find your center here