Dr. Garcia's program of research and clinical expertise has focused primarily on the development and implementation of parenting interventions targeting young children with developmental delays and disabilities, or conditions that increase risk for disability, and identifying effects of child, caregiver, and family factors on child behavior and development. Her training and experience conducting parenting interventions in the context of pediatric brain injury and extensive experience with the treatment of disruptive behavior disorders in young children from underrepresented ethnic, racial, and cultural backgrounds have given her the necessary expertise to lead the proposed project. Children and families from underrepresented ethnic, racial, and cultural backgrounds often experience challenges related to accessing and engaging with evidence-based parenting interventions. Thus, Dr. Garcia's program of research has focused heavily on refining and individualizing parenting interventions to be accessible for families with children with delays and disabilities, or conditions that increase risk for disability (such as traumatic brain injury), particularly those from underserved and underrepresented backgrounds. Ultimately, two primary goals have emerged in her program of research: (1) developing more integrated and flexible approaches to parenting interventions that can increase access for diverse families in manner that aligns with family needs and local context, and (2) identifying and evaluating training strategies that are associated with successful implementation of evidence based parenting programs, with the goal of?building professional and organizational capacities that in turn improve family-level outcomes.
