By Susan Damico, M.A. | September 1, 2026
Thirty years ago this month, Devereux made a commitment to bring the fields of early childhood education and behavioral health together, recognizing that we are stronger together in supporting the healthy social-emotional development of young children.
From the beginning, our work was grounded in resilience research, an innovative approach that was ahead of its time. When the Devereux Early Childhood Assessment (DECA) was published in 1999, it was widely recognized as the first nationally standardized, strength-based, reliable, and valid behavior rating scale designed to assess young children’s resilience and protective factors.
Today, the Devereux Early Childhood Assessment Program suite has positively impacted the lives of tens of millions of children around the world. That achievement alone is a reason to celebrate.
Reflecting on Three Decades of Impact
Birthdays are important milestones. They give us an opportunity to pause, reflect on the passage of time, and, if we’re fortunate, celebrate our accomplishments.
As I look back on my 30 years with Devereux and the many resources we’ve developed, I am filled with gratitude and pride. None of this work happened alone. It took a team of dedicated colleagues from a variety of professional disciplines who came together around a shared mission: strengthening the social and emotional development of young children.
Equally important are the educators, caregivers, and child-serving professionals who embraced, and continue to embrace, a strength-based approach to promoting resilience in children and the adults who care for them. Your commitment has been essential to expanding the impact of this work and improving outcomes for children and families.
Thank You to Our Partners
Birthdays are also an opportunity to say thank you to the people who show up to celebrate.
There are many people to thank, but most importantly, I want to recognize the thousands of child-serving programs across the country that use Devereux Center for Resilient Children resources. You are doing some of the most important work in the world: helping children build the social and emotional skills they need to navigate life’s challenges, develop healthy relationships, and thrive.
Your dedication continues to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families every day.
Why This Work Matters More Than Ever
Birthdays can also serve as a platform to raise awareness.
Despite the progress we’ve made over the past three decades, life seems to be getting more challenging, not less, for many young children and families. Children’s social, emotional, and mental health continue to face significant challenges, making resilience-building more important than ever.
For 30 years, the Devereux Center for Resilient Children team has remained committed to promoting resilience in children and the adults who care for them. That commitment remains as strong today as it was when we began.
If you’d like to join us in this effort, we invite you to register for one of the many free webinars we’ll be offering throughout the year. Together, we can continue building the knowledge, skills, and supports that help children thrive.
Looking Ahead
My hope is that DCRC’s 30th birthday celebration can accomplish all of these goals: celebrating Devereux’s contributions to the field of early childhood education; honoring the millions of children and families whose lives have been positively impacted; thanking the professionals who have remained dedicated to strengthening children, families, and communities; and recognizing that there is still important work ahead.
The past 30 years have shown what’s possible when research, practice, and passion come together on behalf of children. The next 30 years offer an opportunity to continue that impact.
Our 30th Birthday Gift: A Purposeful Pause
Of course, birthdays are also a time for one more thing: gifts.
I’m excited to share DCRC’s 30th birthday gift with you, a present that helps us stay present: A Purposeful Pause. We live in a world that moves faster and faster and often asks more and more of us. That’s why it has never been more important to embrace moments of reflection, connection, and renewal.
In the spirit of celebration, we invite you to take a few minutes to pause, breathe, and enjoy this video.
