Program Overview
Program Overview
The Integrated Research & Policy Fellowship is a 12-month paid program designed to support the leadership development of early care and education (ECE) professionals. The program provides an opportunity for emerging leaders to build their expertise on the ECE workforce while gaining skills to effectively bridge research and policy/practice. Fellows will learn about key issues across the National ECE Workforce Center’s five policy areas and about the history underlying the structure and challenges of the current ECE system. The fellowship will culminate with the completion of a capstone project on a topic of high importance to the workforce that showcases the fellows’ ability to translate research to policy/practice.
View the program description here.
2025-2026 Policy Fellows
Kristy DeGraaf
Family Child Care Provider, Advocate, and Trainer
Policy Area of Interest
I’m very interested in policies that help support and improve the mental health and well-being of early care and education providers. I am also extremely passionate about supporting policies that encourage more play and time outside.
Inspiration for Working in the ECE Field
I was working for Child and Family Services as a social worker when I had my first and second babies. After struggling to find and pay for good child care, motivated by a desire to spend more time with my children, and feeling burnt out in social work, I decided to open my own family child care program.
Why I’m Excited for the Fellowship Program
I’m incredibly excited to work with other experts and expand my perspective on the issues facing educators and providers. I am hoping to make some workable recommendations that help improve the field for educators and the experience of children and families in the system.
Favorite Children’s Book
Christina Katerina and the Box by Patricia Lee Gauch
Casi York
Infant and Toddler Early Head Start Educator
Policy Area of Interest
The policy I am interested in is the federal policy for early childhood education funding, which includes programs like Head Start and the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG), as well as efforts to increase access and quality.
Inspiration for Working in the ECE Field
What inspired me to engage in the field of early childhood education was my personal journey from childhood to adulthood.
Why I’m Excited for the Fellowship Program
I’m most excited about learning more about policies and networking with my peers.
Favorite Children’s Book
Miss Nelson is Missing by Harry Allard
2025-2026 Research Fellows
Heather Valentine
Doctoral student in Education Leadership at the Harvard Graduate School of Education
Research Focus
I’m particularly interested in compensation and financial relief strategies for the ECE workforce.
Inspiration for Working in the ECE Field
I worked for 17 years as an early childhood educator and program administrator and then served in Utah’s Office of Child Care focusing on workforce support initiatives. Early educators are essential, so I’m inspired to continue working towards professionalizing the field alongside them.
Why I’m Excited for the Fellowship Program
I am hoping to gain an increased understanding of the current landscape of innovative compensation strategies and how they could be scaled in ways to serve the ECE sector as a whole.
Favorite Children’s Book
The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson
Flora Ziprin
Doctoral student in Human Development and Psychology at the University of California, Los Angeles
Research Focus
My work sits at the intersection of early childhood education research and policy, with a focus on how workforce characteristics influence educator experiences, classroom practices, and children’s access to high-quality and supportive early learning environments.
Inspiration for Working in the ECE Field
After working in the classroom for seven years as an infant/toddler educator, I became increasingly aware of the [system-wide] challenges educators face, from workforce instability to limited support and low wages. This motivated me to pursue research that informs policies to better support educators and improve early learning experiences.
Why I’m Excited for the Fellowship Program
I’m excited to expand my understanding of the ECE landscape beyond my own experiences and connect with others researchers and policymakers who love ECE and are committed improving workforce conditions.
Favorite Children’s Book
I Spy
Past Policy & Research Fellows
2024-2025
Capstone Project Findings
Liran Laor: By examining the efforts of Oklahoma’s Professional Development Registry to collect high-quality workforce data, Liran highlighted the benefits of workforce registries in informing policy and supporting educators and families. She developed recommendations for others looking to create or enhance a registry.
Melanie Seyarto: Melanie used data from the 2019 National Survey of Early Care and Education to gain a better understanding of union membership among early educators. The findings underscored the need for strategies educators can use to build collective voice to improve working conditions.
Alyssa Fortner: This project examined how participating in the Child and Adult Care Food Program can support programs’ financial health and the quality of care they provide. Alyssa uncovered barriers to educators’ use of the program and based on these findings, outlined recommendations for federal and state leaders to support greater use of the program.
Colleen Walling: Through examining variations in state policy and speaking with early educators, Colleen found that state regulations that are typically beneficial to children—such as smaller classroom sizes and required daily outdoor time—also positively impact educator stress levels and well-being.
More specific project findings will be coming soon!
What Past Fellows Are Saying
“Wonderful – empowering, energizing and helpful in identifying my next career steps.” – Liran Laor, Research Fellow
“The mentorship experience was one of the highlights of the fellowship! I had incredibly supportive mentors who helped me think of new possibilities for the direction of my research and career.” – Melanie Seyarto, Research Fellow
“My policy work will now better meet the needs and perspectives of the early care and education workforce. I know that moving forward I have gained confidence and skills to strengthen the work I do.” – Alyssa Fortner, Policy Fellow
“During the fellowship I learned how research and policy are woven together in different ways. I also appreciated the focus on the educator/workforce voice when collecting research and making policy decisions.” – Colleen Walling, Policy Fellow