Powering Prevention with Developmental Theory

February 19, 2025

Webinar Description:

Timing is everything – especially when it comes to delivering successful prevention programs that truly resonate with your audience. This webinar will discuss the importance of considering developmental stage when selecting and implementing evidence-based preventive interventions. Following a brief discussion of developmental theory and how it can be applied to selecting and implementing evidence-based preventive interventions across the lifespan, examples of existing evidence-based programs implemented in several contexts including schools and families will be provided.

Webinar Objectives:

By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:

Analyze the concept of human development within context
Recognize the developmental stages most associated with the peak onset of mental and behavioral health issues and related risk and protective factors
Describe how brain development can inform developmentally timed preventive interventions
Compare the different types of preventive interventions typically employed at various stages of development

Webinar Recording and Slides:

Presenter:

Nathaniel R. Riggs, PhD

Dr. Riggs is a professor of Human Development and Family Studies and the executive director of the Colorado State University Prevention Research Center, a campus-wide trans-disciplinary center committed to studying the development, implementation, and evaluation of effective and sustainable preventive interventions across the lifespan. Dr. Riggs has published over 100 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters related to his research interests in testing preventive interventions that promote youth socioemotional development and prevent adolescent risk behaviors. He is also an engaged scholar who works alongside community partners to support the implementation of evidence-based preventive interventions. To support this work, he is the principal investigator on several federal, state, and locally funded projects with community partners around Colorado. Dr. Riggs also frequently participates in the process of translating research into policy. He is currently a member of Colorado State University's Government Relations Faculty Ambassadors Initiative, a program training CSU faculty on best practices for engaging federal policymakers and funding agencies.