My program of research aims to understand the developmental needs of young children, study and test evidence-informed interventions for this population, and examine leadership frameworks that support cross-systems collaborations for health and education professionals. My research is grounded in practice and engages external partners in collaborative efforts to understand, inform and advance current practice across health and education systems for children and youth with developmental disabilities and the professionals who work with them. Collaborators have included partners in pediatrics, federal Part C early intervention programs, and programs aimed at improving the implementation of services and supports (such as Maternal and Child Health, community-based organizations). My work is grounded in a developmental systems model, which provides a framework for early intervention services for young children. This model recognizes that child developmental outcomes are influenced by family patterns of interaction.
Professional Background
Dr. Humphreys is the Principal Investigator and Director of the New Hampshire-Maine Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities Program (NH-ME LEND). Since 2010 she has secured nearly 11 million dollars to implement the program in collaboration with the University of Maine UCEDD and Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center. She is a Research Assistant Professor of Early Childhood Special Education in the UNH Department of Education and was recently appointed UCEDD Training Director for the Institute on Disability. In this role she will oversee the IOD’s two largest training programs-NH-ME LEND and the NH Leadership Series. Dr. Humphreys has worked extensively throughout early intervention settings since 1985 in collaboration with public education, Head Start, state partners and childcare programs with a focus on developmental monitoring and screening in infants and toddlers. She is Principal Investigator on NH-ME ECHO SCOPE: Supporting Children of the Opioid Epidemic and NH Acts Early, a CDC sponsored COVID-19 response project. Dr. Humphreys currently serves on the Steering Committee for the Association of University Centers on Disability National Training Director’s Council, the IOD Management Tea, and a number of state-and university-level committees. She is an Editorial Board member for the Journal of Early Childhood Teacher Education and a peer reviewer for the Maternal and Child Health Journal and the Journal of Early Childhood Research.
Dr. Humphreys research integrates two research to practice areas: 1) evaluating the effectiveness and accessibility of evidence-based interventions and services for young children with neurodevelopmental disabilities and their families, and 2) examining leadership frameworks that establish and support cross-systems collaborations for health and early education professionals. Her research engages external research and practice partners collaboratively to understand, inform, and advance interventions and services for young children with neurodevelopmental disorders. Collaborators have included partners in pediatrics, federal Part C early intervention programs, and programs aimed at improving the implementation of services and supports such as Maternal and Child Health, and community-based organizations. Dr. Humphreys has co-authored book chapters, as well as numerous peer-reviewed manuscripts and presentations.
Courses Taught
- EDUC 760/860: Intro Young Chldrn w/Spc Needs
- EDUC 762/862: Curriculum Yng Child with SN
- HHS 798/898: Spc Top/Neuro Dev&Rel Disordrs
Research Interests
- Autism
- Child Health
- Developmental Disabilities
- Early Childhood Development
- Early intervention for children with, or at risk for disabilities; developmental screening
- Early Intervention for People With Disabilities
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Selected Publications
Smith, S., Aytur, S., & Humphreys, E. (2022). Effects of telehealth parent coaching in supporting family participation, cohesion, and adaptability. OTJR Occupation, Participation and Health. doi:10.1177/15394492221083664
Humphreys, B. P., Kurtz, A. J., Portrie, C., Couse, L. J., & Hajnaghizadeh, F. (2018). Advancing Leadership Skills: A Multiyear Examination of LEND Trainee Self-Efficacy Growth. MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH JOURNAL, 22(10), 1377-1383. doi:10.1007/s10995-018-2582-2
Baril, E. M., & Humphreys, B. P. (2017). An Evaluation of the Research Evidence on the Early Start Denver Model. JOURNAL OF EARLY INTERVENTION, 39(4), 321-338. doi:10.1177/1053815117722618
McHugh, M. C., Margolis, L. H., Rosenberg, A., & Humphreys, E. (2016). Advancing MCH Interdisciplinary/Interprofessional Leadership Training and Practice Through a Learning Collaborative.. Matern Child Health J, 20(11), 2247-2253. doi:10.1007/s10995-016-2129-3
Humphreys, B. P., Couse, L. J., Sonnenmeier, R. M., Kurtz, A., Russell, S. M., & Antal, P. (2015). Transforming LEND Leadership Training Curriculum through the Maternal and Child Health Leadership Competencies. MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH JOURNAL, 19(2), 300-307. doi:10.1007/s10995-014-1587-8
Crais, E. R., McComish, C. S., Humphreys, B. P., Watson, L. R., Baranek, G. T., Reznick, J. S., . . . Earls, M. (2014). Pediatric Healthcare Professionals' Views on Autism Spectrum Disorder Screening at 12-18 Months. JOURNAL OF AUTISM AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS, 44(9), 2311-2328. doi:10.1007/s10803-014-2101-2
Jr, B. D. B., Raspa, M., Olmsted, M. G., Novak, S. P., Sam, A. M., Humphreys, B. P., . . . Guillen, C. (2011). Development and Psychometric Validation of the Family Outcomes Survey-Revised. JOURNAL OF EARLY INTERVENTION, 33(1), 6-23. doi:10.1177/1053815111399441
Jr, B. D. B., Raspa, M., Humphreys, B. P., & Sam, A. M. (2011). Promoting Family Outcomes in Early Intervention. In HANDBOOK OF SPECIAL EDUCATION (pp. 668-684). Retrieved from https://www.webofscience.com/
Boyd, B. A., Odom, S. L., Humphreys, B. P., & Sam, A. M. (2010). Infants and Toddlers With Autism Spectrum Disorder: Early Identification and Early Intervention. JOURNAL OF EARLY INTERVENTION, 32(2), 75-98. doi:10.1177/1053815110362690
Humphreys, E. P., Kurtz, A., Portrie, C., Couse, L., & Hajnaghizadeh, M. (n.d.). An analysis of trainee self-perceived leadership skill development using the Maternal and Child Health Leadership Competencies Self-assessment..
