Thrive Center at Georgetown University

?? NEW EPISODE ALERT: Thrive Dispatches Podcast Episode 4 is here! In this episode, Dr. Biel speaks with Kelli McDermott, an expert in early childhood mental health and trauma. They discuss how nurturing relationships can help young children build resilience, recover from trauma, and thrive. They also discuss the critical role culture plays in shaping resilience and recovery from trauma. Kelli shares her insights on why what’s good for young children is beneficial for all of us, the powerful role adults play in buffering trauma, and how healing can happen through supportive relationships. ?? Listen to the full episode: https://lnkd.in/e9zPm7Pa

Georgetown University Certificate in Early Intervention (GUCEI): This online certificate program equips professionals with the skills and knowledge to build and deliver services for infants, toddlers, and young children with disabilities or delays in development. Through advanced, evidence-based training, participants learn to apply a “system of care” approach to service delivery. The GUCEI program emphasizes culturally competent, family-centered practices. Graduates are prepared to effectively support young children and their families, fostering positive developmental outcomes. More details here:

?? New Publication: Fostering Workforce Wellness: Insights from Nurse Managers and Early Childhood Educators. We are excited to share this new study published in Healthcare on February 24, 2025 details the implementation of the Compassion, Practice, Relationships, and Restoration (CPR2) intervention, which aims to address stress, burnout, and compassion fatigue among caregiving professionals. Study highlights need for tailored, context-sensitive wellness interventions that recognize the unique challenges faced by different caregiving roles. Authors: Dominique Charlot-Swilley, Sabrina Zuskov, Latisha Curtis, Stephanie Mitchell & Elva Anderson.?

Wendy Jones is an author, researcher, trainer, curriculum developer, early childhood mental health consultant and coach, specializing in issues affecting marginalized communities. She has been serving in Georgetown’s Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (GUCEDD) for more than two decades. In this episode, Wendy discusses how her experiences growing up influenced the work she does today and the importance of seeing not just the dignity but also the gift in every individual. Listen to the full episode here: https://lnkd.in/ejeD5gbn

Last month the Innovation Hub Fellows joined us in DC for our cohort kickoff week. Kickoff Week was dedicated to forging relationships among fellows and the THRIVE Center, introducing organizations to their “Thrive Triangles” of experts and coaches, discussing kindness, community, and the Hub’s values, and setting goals for the weeks to come on the validation and engagement science tracks. Throughout the week, fellows partook in activities like community & co-design led by Dr. Rachel Hanebutt and Donuts & Drinks with the THRIVE Center. Creating a community rooted in kindness and gratitude was central to the week’s mission, with fellows writing kindness notes and thank yous to people in their lives as well as ending the week with a “Thank You” board. We are so excited to work with each of our incredible fellows and grateful for the wonderful work that they are leading in their communities through their organizations. We are walking away from this time together feeling (quotes from the fellows): “Admiration for all founders”, “A desire to create”, “Love”, “Renewed energy and sense of optimism”, “Friendship”, “Eagerness and curiosity to learn”, “A bright future”, “The value of connection”, and “Ready to build things that change people’s lives!”. Happypillar, psyche care, Peers.net by Flourish Labs, ?? Clayful, Hand in Hand Parenting, Pediatrics Northwest, PS

In our third episode of the Thrive Dispatches Podcast, Matthew Biel Biel speaks with Wendy Alegra Jones Jones, a bilingual early childhood special educator, social worker, doula, and home visiting professional who has been serving in Georgetown’s Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (GUCEDD) for more than two decades. The discussion starts with Wendy’s experiences learning about self-determination from her godmother, who was a person of small stature, and explores how Wendy’s work with parents with intellectual and developmental disabilities emphasizes the importance of leading with strengths rather than deficits when working with families. Listen to the full episode here: https://lnkd.in/ejeD5gbn

Dr. Rachel Hanebutt on digital work and how our relationship with technology and devices impacts our life and wellbeing.

Research Participants Needed We are recruiting Black parents with kindergarteners (ages 5-6) in the DC metro area for a research study on how families navigate racial identity, social development, and mental health. Parents will share their experiences in annual virtual interviews over three years, with their child joining for a short interactive segment. Each interview takes 90 minutes, and participants receive $50 per session (up to $150 total). Your voice matters—help us understand and support Black families’ experiences. Learn more and join today.? Link: https://lnkd.in/ecEZ7dKb Questions or comments: [email protected] or ?(202) 596-9015?.

Jason Lehmbeck is a founder, advisor, investor and community builder in the mental and developmental care space. He has extensive experience with high-growth startups and has founded companies like DataPop and Undivided. Lehmbeck is launching Innovation Hub @Thrive to develop solutions for unmet needs in child and family mental health and has been mentoring founders and investing in the sector for over a decade. Listen to the full episode here: https://lnkd.in/egAn4wJp

Last week, our US/Afghan Women's Council at Thrive Center was honored to co-host "Hazara Women of Afghanistan Share Digital Stories" — a powerful hybrid program empowering refugees in DC and Malm?, Sweden with digital literacy and storytelling skills. Through collaborative workshops, participants crafted narratives that preserve cultural heritage and reshape identities, creating a space where silenced voices can be amplified and celebrated. To learn more about this program: https://lnkd.in/eRVJJ7SB Or watch the digital stories: https://lnkd.in/eH3_n6-F #DigitalEmpowerment #RefugeeVoices #HazaraWomen #CommunityThrive #DigitalStorytelling