Our goal is to put into practice Auburn University’s commitment to (1) generating knowledge, (2) utilizing research-based information to solve complex problems affecting individuals and families, and (3) engaging local, state, and national organizations to serve as partners in this effort. We believe that it is only through partnerships and sharing the University’s intellectual capital with the people who most need it – parents, teachers, students, grassroots professionals, policymakers, researchers, and others–that we can make an impact on improving the quality of life of our citizens.
The CCYF is comprised of the Auburn University Early Learning Center, the Harris Early Learning Center of Birmingham, the Marriage and Family Therapy Center, as well as the HDFS Cooperative Extension Team and a research consortium comprised of faculty members studying a variety of issues relevant to children, youth, and families.
The Auburn University Early Learning Center and the Harris Early Learning Center of Birmingham offer high-quality care and education of young children and their families utilizing a developmentally appropriate curriculum model based on children as active learners. Both centers are accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.
The Marriage and Family Therapy Center is nationally accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education and provides affordable and quality mental health services to individuals, couples, and families.
Complementing the outreach missions of these centers are the initiatives of the HDFS Alabama Cooperative Extension team. Faculty extension specialists provide professionals and the community with a variety of research-based resources via an array of delivery formats that include training programs, research briefs and topical publications, curriculum models, and online education. Examples include: the Alabama Community Marriage Initiative fostering healthy couple relationships and family stability; Promoting Alabama Youth Development program designed to enhance adolescents' personal and social competencies; Begin Education Early program offering educational support services and materials that meet the needs of rural and limited resource families; and the Family Child Care Partnerships which assists child care providers in meeting national accreditation standards for high quality child care.
