Research and Systems Innovation

DIEEC’s research mission is driven by a commitment to advancing the early childhood field through the study of program quality, the workforce, and the well-being of children and families.

Our research portfolio is anchored by significant leadership roles in federally-funded national initiatives. We serve as key partners in the Center for Home-Based Child Care Research and the National Early Care and Education Workforce Center, contributing to the national dialogue on policy and practice. 

Our work is further bolstered by University of Delaware faculty who lead diverse, funded research projects that bridge the gap between academic theory and real-world application.

One unique strength of our research is our direct connection to practice. As a contractor directly supporting Delaware’s Quality Improvement System (QIS) and the state’s professional development network, as well as a federal Early Head Start grantee, we participate in the systems that serve as vital contexts for our study. While the QIS and Early Head Start initiatives are state-specific, the data they generate allow our researchers to examine critical trends, such as the efficacy of motivational interviewing in technical assistance or the specific needs of family child care providers.

By integrating national-level partnerships with local system-level data, DIEEC produces evidence-based insights that inform both state policy and national best practices.

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