The Center for the Positive Development of Urban Children
The Center focuses on various policies and initiatives across New Jersey that affect children, families and the workforce.
The Center for the Positive Development of Urban Children (CPDUC) offers an integrated approach that utilizes best practices, professional development, policy analysis and research to examine the vulnerability and resiliency of urban children to improve upon their health, well-being and educational outcomes. Our research focuses on young children ages 0-3, children in pre-K to twelfth grade, parents, teachers, school leaders and community stakeholders.
Urban transformation begins with listening to multiple stakeholders, reflecting on what we learn and creating purposeful solutions together that change lives and create opportunities for urban children to succeed in school and beyond.
Teachers as Global Transformers
POLICY AND RESEARCH FOCUS AREAS
- Elevate the visibility of the childcare industry as an economic driver for New Jersey.
- Engage various sectors including government, business and education leaders to fortify the early childhood continuum from infant rooms to third grade and throughout the K-12 system.
- Encourage adequate investment in universal preschool and in the early childhood continuum.
- Support the hiring of a culturally and linguistically diverse workforce for schools to meet the needs of diverse students learning English as a second language.
- Sponsor culturally responsive professional development that is inclusive of the cultural/linguistic wealth each student brings to the learning table and have courageous conversations about race.
- Promote the infusion of socio-emotional approaches and health practices that support both children and caregivers, focusing on the whole child and the whole educator/caregiver.
- Foster best practices to minimize toxic stress and close the learning gaps in urban children.
- Encourage school leaders to confront systematic racism and inspire their staff to address disparities.
- Endorse the adoption of coaching and mentoring practices at all levels of the educational and social service fields.
- Identify and support opportunities for youth and young adults to gain exposure to career pathways for working with children and families.
