laura lessard

Dr. Lessard’s work focuses in two areas: program evaluation and supporting the health and wellbeing of children and adults in child care settings. In the realm of program evaluation, she supports organizations large and small using a participatory use-oriented approach. She serves as Program Coordinator and Director of Evaluation for Delaware INBRE (www.de-inbre.org) where she supports evaluation and programmatic activities statewide. She is also involved in program evaluations in a wide range of topical areas.

Her scholarly research uses an interdisciplinary approach to study and support the health and wellbeing of the child care workforce. She serves as Senior Advisor for Wellbeing in the Delaware Institute for Excellence in Early Childhood and as part of the research team for the National Early Care and Education Workforce Center, funded by the Administration for Children and Families (ACF). She is co-chair of the Child Care Committee of the American Public Health Association and her efforts in Delaware were awarded the Lieutenant Governor’s Health Hero award in 2023.

 Dr. Lessard has training in Public Health (MPH in Epidemiology and Biostatistics from Tufts University and PhD in Behavioral Sciences and Health Education from Emory University) and serves as Director of the Public Health Minor.

Courses

• HBNS804: Advanced Health Promotion Program Evaluation
• HBNS/UAPP222: Introduction to Epidemiology