Sheila Smith, PhD (she/her/hers), is an early childhood researcher with over 25 years of experience conducting mixed-methods research to learn about early childhood program and policy implementation, early childhood systems, and family and provider needs and responses to interventions. She has worked extensively with state and local partners to provide evidence-informed technical assistance and engage in collaborative research.
Sheila has served as a lead researcher on a range of projects, including studies that evaluate early literacy interventions, examine the delivery of mental health supports to early care and education providers, and investigate barriers and facilitators of children’s access to high-quality early care and education, including children in foster care. Her technical assistance activities include helping identify effective, evidence-informed XX to strengthen the benefits of Part C early intervention programs, home visiting, and early care and education programs, and supporting the scaling of effective supports for children and families through policies, investments, and strong implementation practices.
Sheila holds a PhD from the University of Chicago in Educational Psychology (Child Development specialization). She also completed a Child Development and Social Policy Post-Doctoral Fellowship at the University of Michigan and a Society for Research in Child Development US Policy Fellowship.
Areas of Expertise
Early childhood systems and policies, early childhood mental health, early literacy, mixed-methods research, research on policy and program implementation
