Pathways Out of Poverty

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Wednesday, February 14, 2024 12:00 pm

The first 1,000 days of a child’s life are a time of tremendous potential and enormous vulnerability. How well or how poorly mothers and children are nourished and cared for during this time has a profound impact on a child’s ability to grow, learn and thrive. This is because the first 1,000 days are when a child’s brain begins to grow and develop and when the foundations for their lifelong health are built.

This work of forging pathways out of poverty for children on the margins and preparing them for life success can happen through the global Catholic Church and its parish system; Home, Church, and School; when other infrastructure fails or is absent.

Raising Resilient Children explores the science of early childhood development and how parents, health professionals, and the Catholic Church can positively shape children’s future outcomes.

How is Notre Dame aligning cutting edge early childhood neuroscience with the lived experiences of families? Join Dr. Neil Boothby, Ed.D., Fr. Lou DelFra, C.S.C., and Dr. Carrie Quinn, M.D. ‘96 to learn how the Global Center for the Development of the Whole Child works with decision makers across a diversity of sectors, cultures, and political values to offer powerful pathways forward for at-risk individuals, communities, and nations.

Meet the Moderator: Chrissy Trinter, Ph.D.

Christine Trinter serves as an associate professor of the practice specializing in Mathematics Education with the Alliance for Catholic Education in the Institute for Educational Initiatives and is the Director of the ACE Ascent Program. In October 2023, Christine was named acting director of the Institute for Educational Initiatives. She teaches mathematics education courses in the Master of Education program and mathematics and leadership courses in the Ascent Program. After earning her B.A. from Fordham University, Christine served in the Jesuit Volunteer Corps then taught in both Catholic and public middle and high schools in both Massachusetts and New York. She went on to earn an M.A. and a Ph.D. in mathematics education from Columbia University and the University of Virginia, respectively. Her research and scholarship focus on factors associated with teacher development, specifically related to teacher leadership and the integration of Catholic spirituality and mathematics education and the ways this integration contributes to the flourishing of both teachers and students. She and her husband, Phil, have three children, Gabrielle, Luke, and William.

The Global Center for the Development of the Whole Child’s Mission and Reach

The Global Center’s goal is to create pathways out of adversity for the world’s most vulnerable children. In 25 countries, they leverage evidence-based innovations to develop effective Whole Child Development (WCD) approaches to not only advance children’s academic achievement, but also create safe, supportive, and equitable family, school, and community environments. 

Working with partners across the research-practice-policy spectrum, they iteratively develop and test WCD approaches, translating evidence into impactful programs. Their approach focuses on the relationships and settings that are most important in the lives of children and youth. By aligning knowledge, attitudes, practices, and policies within and across these settings – like the home, school, and community – they focus on how to best activate the systems which foster resilience and justice for children. They then use this learning and knowledge to advance policies which improve the lives and outcomes of children.

To learn more about the Global Center for the Development of the Whole Child, please visit their website. For more resources and opportunities to learn through the Global Center on ThinkND, please click here.