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Drawing on the full breadth of intellectual resources available across Harvard University’s schools and affiliated hospitals, the Center on the Developing Child generates, translates, and applies knowledge in the service of closing the gap between what we know and what we do to support positive life outcomes for children, particularly those who are vulnerable, in the United States and globally.

Mission


The Center on the Developing Child was founded in 2006 on the belief that the vitality and sustainability of any society depend on the extent to which it provides opportunities early in life for all children to achieve their full potential and engage in responsible and productive citizenship. We view healthy child development as the foundation of economic prosperity, strong communities, and a just society, and our mission is to advance that vision by leveraging science to enhance child well-being.

Specifically, the Center is committed to:

  • Building a multi-disciplinary science of child health, learning, and behavior that elucidates the early roots of lifelong disparities;

  • Advancing our understanding of how to reduce disparities through rigorous analysis, design, implementation, and evaluation of innovative program and practice models;

  • Catalyzing the creation of effective, science-based policies and practices through strategic relationships and enhanced capacity for knowledge transfer; and

  • Preparing future and current leaders to make science-based policy decisions that advance the healthy development of children, families, and communities, and bring high returns to all of society.

Fact Sheet: Mission and Activities (PDF) >>


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

More Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) >>

Center Director & Staff

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Get to know the Center’s director and the staff members at our Cambridge, Mass., office. More >>

History & Current Context

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Learn how the Center came to be and how recent scientific advances have made this a time of opportunity. More >>

Funders

Read a list of our major funders and find out how to become a Center supporter. More >>

Press Information

See information and resources for media members and others. Includes contacts for press inquiries and speaker/presentation requests. More >>