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Codie Kane named Devereux’s 2024 Savin Scholar Award recipient

Devereux Center for Effective Schools (CES) doctoral intern Codie Kane, M.Ed., was selected as Devereux’s 2024 Savin Scholar Award recipient for her research proposal that will examine the relationship between preschool students’ protective factors and behavioral concerns. Her study also will analyze how that relationship may have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Each year, Devereux’s Institute of Clinical and Professional Training and Research (ICPTR) presents the Savin Scholar Award to one of its health service psychology interns who proposes a research study/program evaluation regarded as “exemplary.” Proposals must meet four criteria related to: 1) innovation, 2) quality, 3) feasibility and 4) consistency with Devereux’s Advanced Philosophy of Care.

As the 2024 Savin Scholar, Kane will receive up to $1,500 to conduct her study and a $500 cash award. She will receive an additional travel stipend if her study is accepted for presentation at a conference within the next year.

“We want to congratulate Codie on receiving this year’s Savin Scholar Award. Our selection committee spent hours reviewing many well-conceived, high-quality proposals, but Codie’s clearly stood out.” said Devereux Health Service Psychology Director of Internship Training Laura Rutherford, Ph.D., NCSP, BCBA, who oversees the intern research projects. “Her study has the potential to help educators better understand the relationship between children’s protective factors and their development of challenging behaviors, and shed light on how the pandemic may have impacted this relationship.”

Kane, who accepted the award during a meeting, said, “What an honor to be recognized for my research study – it’s a privilege to have the opportunity to pursue this line of inquiry with amazing support from my mentors at the CES and the Devereux Center for Resilient Children (DCRC).”

About the study

Kane’s study, titled, “Protective factors and predictability of behavioral concerns: Before and after the COVID-19 pandemic,” will explore the relationship between preschoolers’ protective factors (characteristics, people and supports that help individuals navigate life’s challenges) and teacher reported behavioral concerns, using DCRC’s web-based, Devereux Early Childhood Assessment for Preschoolers, Second Edition (e-DECA-P2). The e-DECA-P2 is a strength-based assessment and planning system designed to promote resilience in children.

The study also will consider how the pandemic may have impacted the relationship between children’s protective factors and their development of challenging behaviors.

“This topic is meaningful to me, because my work and research are centered on early childhood social and emotional development,” explained Kane. “My study may provide support for bolstering children’s protective factors early in the preschool years to buffer their development of concerning behaviors over time. This is a strength-based, proactive approach to enhancing social and emotional skills. My study also represents an opportunity to build on the research of 2023 Savin Scholar, Dr. Mawule Sevon, whose study shed light on the impact of the pandemic on children’s social and emotional skills.”

Next steps…

Kane expects to complete her research study by June and present her findings at Devereux’s annual intern research presentation.

She added, “I am passionate about supporting the social and emotional development of young children, and I look forward to contributing to the early childhood field through my project.”

Learn more about Devereux’s doctoral internships in health service psychology.

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