Biography
Dr. Votava is a speech-language pathologist and early interventionist specializing in work with birth to 5-year-olds. Dr. Votava has 20 years experience in the field of Early Intervention. She has worked as an early interventionist, provided technical assistance for early intervention programs, and has been an adjunct in the Early Childhood Education, Physical Therapy, Special Education, and Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of North Dakota. Dr. Votava is trained in Hanen, routines-based interview/family assessment, adverse childhood experiences (ACES), trauma and resilience, and NEAR@home toolkit. Kristen has interests in implementation science, IFSP development, family engagement, early language, social-emotional development, family-centered services, and team collaboration. She has presented nationally and internationally on early intervention and early childhood topics and is currently a Division of Early Childhood (DEC) Recommended Practices Ambassador (aRPy).
Early Intervention policy, family engagement, family assessment, transdisciplinary practices, collaboration, ACEs, NEAR@Home Toolkit, emotional literacy, trauma and resilience.
Publications
Cho, H., Votava, K. Family engagement of Nepali parents of dual language learners at Head Start. SN Soc Sci 1, 125 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43545-021-00108-7
Azizova, Z., Brandt, S., Campoverde, B., Gourneau, B., Grave, S., Houdek, S., Ingwalson, G., Juntunen, C., McGaughey, N., Milavetz, J., Nelson, K., Pawlewicz, Stupinsky, R., Tomkinson, G., Votava, K. & Weaver-Hightower, M. (2020, April 1). UND College of Education & Human Development faculty publishes advice for parents about remote learning.
Jeffers-Woolf, J., Young, C., Niezwaag, L., Harvey, M., Crooker, R., McLeod, C., Sickler, K. & Votava, K. (2019) NEAR@Home: Addressing ACEs in home vising by asking, listening, and accepting [PDF file]. (3rd Ed.). Retrieved from https://www.nearathome.org/.
Votava, K., & Johnson, C. (2016, January 7). Statewide special education practices to improve the quality of IFSP outcomes, 2016 Conference Proceedings, Paper presented at Hawaii International Education Conference, Honolulu, Hawaii (p. 1773-1778). Honolulu, Hawaii: HICE.
Johnson, C., & Votava, K. (2016). Education practices for early identification of communication concerns in young children, 2016 Conference Proceedings, Paper presented at Hawaii International Education Conference, Honolulu, Hawaii (p. 1379-1386). Honolulu, Hawaii: HICE.
Votava, K, & Chiasson, K. (2015). Perceptions of part C coordinators on family assessment in early intervention, Rural Special Education Quarterly, 34 (2), 17-24.
McWilliam, R. A., Casey, A. M., Ashley, D., Fielder, J., Rowley, P., DeJong, K., Mickel, J., Stricklin, S. B., & Votava, K. (2011). Assessement of family-identified needs through the routines-based interview. In M. McLean, & P. Snyder (Eds.), Gathering information to make informed decisions: Contemporary perspectives about assessment in early intervention and early childhood special education (pp. 64-78). Missoula, MT: The Division for Early Childhood of the Council for Exceptional Children
Votava, K.M., Johnson, C., & Chiasson, K. (2011). Using an accountability tool to improve the quality of outcomes on individual family service plans. Journal of the American Academy of Special Education Professionals.
Presentations
Adusumilli, J., Votava, K. (author only) & Johnson, C. Increasing Representation in Early Intervention Family Surveys. Office of Special Education Programs Leadership and Project Director’s Conference, poster presentation, Washington, DC, July 24, 2023.
Votava, K. (author only), Johnson, C. & Adusumilli, J. Stakeholders working together to create early intervention professional development. Office of Special Education Programs Leadership and Project Director’s Conference, poster presentation, Washington, DC, July 24, 2023.
Johnson, C., Adusumilli, J. & Votava, K. (author only). Resilient Early Intervention Leadership- A collaborative approach. Office of Special Education Programs Leadership and Project Director’s Conference, presentation, Washington, DC, July 25, 2023.
Votava, K. & Yearwood, J. Supporting culture and counteracting bias in early childhood teacher preparation. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Higher Education and Beyond Conference, poster presentation. Grand Forks, ND, October 8, 2022.
Votava, K., & Johnson, C, Adusumilli, J. & Romanick, R. EI resilient leadership collaborative: Bringing together partners. Division of Early Childhood (DEC) 38th Annual International Conference on Young Children with Special Needs Joint Conference with the International Society on Early Intervention, Chicago, IL, September 27, 2022.
Votava, K., & Johnson, C. Local engagement to enhance leadership capacity. Poster. Division of Early Childhood (DEC) 38th Annual International Conference on Young Children with Special Needs Joint Conference with the International Society on Early Intervention, Chicago, IL, September 27, 2022.
Adusumilli, J., Votava, K. & Johnson, C. Building the bridge: collaborative resilient leadership project in early intervention. Office of Special Education Programs Leadership and Project Director’s Conference, poster presentation, Washington, DC, July 18, 2022. Virtual conference.
Johnson, C., & Votava, K. Growing Leadership Capacity Through Local Leadership. Office of Special Education Programs Leadership and Project Director’s Conference, poster presentation, Washington, DC, July 18, 2022. Virtual conference.
Johnson, C. & Votava, K. Professional Development to Engage Local Leaders: Partnering for Outcomes with Real Meaning (POWR). 41st Annual American Council on Rural Special Education Conference. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, March 4, 2022.
Votava, K. & Johnson, C. Resilient Leadership: Bringing Early Intervention Partners Together. 41st Annual American Council on Rural Special Education Conference. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, March 4, 2022.
Votava, K. & Johnson, C. A Framework Approach to Meaningful IFSP Outcomes in Early Intervention. 37th Annual Pacific Rim International Conference on Disability & Diversity. Virtual, February 28-March 1, 2022.
Votava, K. & Johnson, C. Writing Meaningful IFSP Outcomes in Early Intervention. Annual Convention of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Washington, D.C., November 18-21.
Votava, K. & Johnson C. Empowering Teams: Writing Early Intervention Outcomes. Office of Special Education Programs Leadership and Project Director’s Conference, poster presentation, Washington, DC, July 19, 2021. Virtual due to COVID.
Johnson, C. & Votava, K. Professional Development with Impact: Building Leadership Capacity in Early Intervention. Office of Special Education Programs Leadership and Project Director’s Conference, poster presentation, Washington, DC, July 19, 2021. Virtual due to COVID.
Votava, K., & Johnson, C. POWR Project: Professional Development with Impact. 40th Annual American Council on Rural Special Education Conference, March 19, 2021, Virtual due to COVID.
Johnson, C. & Votava, K. Engaging teams in meaningful outcomes in early intervention. 40th Annual American Council on Rural Special Education Conference, March 19, 2021, Virtual due to COVID.
Votava, K. & Johnson, C. #10058: Teaming to Write Functional Outcomes in Early Intervention. Proposal accepted at the Annual Convention of the American Speech- Language-Hearing Association, San Diego, CA (Convention canceled due to COVID-19).
Cho, H., & Votava, K. (2020, April). Engagement of nondominant families of dual language learners at Head Start. Paper accepted for K-AERA Conference, San Francisco, CA. (Paper accepted, Cancelled conference due to COVID-19).
Johnson, C., & Votava, K., & Johnson, C. SPARK Clinical Forum: Meaningful Outcomes. Hanen International Webinar, March 10, 2020.
Votava, K., & Johnson, C. Family-practitioner writing of functional outcomes. Division of Early Childhood (DEC) 35th Annual International Conference on Young Children with Special Needs, Dallas, Texas, October 3, 2019.
Votava, K., & Johnson, C. Family and practitioner writing of functional outcomes. Office of Special Education Programs, poster presentation, Washington, DC, July 22, 2019.
Johnson, C. & Votava, K. Early intervention collaborative professional development process. Office of Special Education Programs, poster presentation, Washington, DC, July 22, 2019.
Votava, K. Writing functional outcomes with families: A framework. International Society on Early Intervention Conference, Sydney, Australia, June 28, 2019.
Votava, K. & Johnson, C. Collaborative approach to early intervention professional development. International Society on Early Intervention Conference, Sydney, Australia, June 26, 2019.
Votava, K., & Johnson, C. Writing functional outcomes in early intervention. Division of Early Childhood (DEC) International Learning Deck Online Webinar, November 29, 2018.
Johnson, C., & Votava, K. Investigating early predictors for early communication delay in a screening/surveillance program. American Speech-Language Hearing Association Annual Conference, Boston, Massachusetts, November 16, 2018.
Votava, K., & Johnson, C. Writing functional outcomes in early intervention. American Speech-Language Hearing Association Annual Conference, Boston, Massachusetts, November 15, 2018.
Johnson, C., & Votava, K. (2018). Early Intervention Collaborative Development Process. DEC 34th Annual International Conference on Young Children with Special Needs, Orlando, Florida, October 24, 2018.
Votava, K., & Johnson, C. Change process in early intervention systems: Implementing evidence-based practices. Zero to Three Annual Conference, New Orleans, LA, December 9, 2016.
Johnson, C., & Votava, K. Implementation of DEC recommended practices in early intervention. DEC 32nd Annual International Conference on Young Children with Special Needs, Louisville, KY, October 21, 2016.
Votava, K., & Johnson, C. (2016). Early interventionist knowledge in supporting social-emotional. DEC 32nd Annual International Conference on Young Children with Special Needs, Louisville, KY, October 20, 2016.
Votava, K., & Johnson, C. Statewide special education practices to improve the quality of IFSP outcomes. Hawaii International Education Conference, Honolulu, Hawaii, January 7, 2016.
Johnson, C., & Votava, K. Education practices for early identification of communication concerns in young children. Hawaii International Education Conference, Honolulu, Hawaii, January 7, 2016.
Votava, K., & Chiasson, C. Perceptions of part C coordinators on family assessment in early intervention. American Council on Rural Special Education, March 20, 2015, New Orleans, Louisiana.
Woods, J., Marturana, E., Balsdon, D., Johnson, C., & Votava, K. The distance mentoring model: Supporting early intervention service providers in rural areas. National EarlyChildhood Technical Assistance Center (NECTAC) webinar, December 15, 2010.
Excellence in Service Award, College of Education and Human Development, May 4, 2021.
Nominated for Outstanding Teaching Award, UND, October, 2010.
Certificate of Clinical Competency, speech-language pathology, American Speech- Language Hearing Association, 2001- current.
Licensed by the North Dakota State Board of Examiners to practice Speech-Language Pathology. 2000 - present.
Ph.D., Teacher Education, Department of Teaching & Learning, August 2013.
Master’s Degree, Communication Disorders, University of North Dakota (UND), Grand Forks, ND. May 2000.
Bachelor of Science, Speech-Language Hearing Sciences, Moorhead State University (MSU), Moorhead, MN. May 1997.
Akita-Japan, MSU, Fall 1993.
Division of Early Childhood (DEC) Recommended Practices Ambassador (aRPy), 2022-present.
ND Governor’s Early Childhood Transition Committee, invited, September 2021-January 2022.
Division of Early Childhood (DEC) National Program Review Committee, May 2020-Present.
North Dakota Department of Public Instruction Non-Categorical Delay Committee, Spring 2021.
North Dakota Social Emotional Learning Network UND Team Leader, Fall 2020-present.
Early Childhood Personnel Center (ECPC) Cohort 1, member 2018-present.
North Dakota Department of Public Instruction Early Care and Standards Committee, Spring 2018.
NEAR@Home Toolkit facilitator and research group, Washington state THRIVE
National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), member
National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), Higher Education Reviewer
North Dakota Association for the Education of Young Children (NDAEYC),Member Zero to Three, member
Council for Exceptional Children, member, including Division for Early Childhood
American Speech-Language Hearing Association, member
Reviewer, Journal of Special Education Technology, 2015-present
UND Medical School, North Dakota Early Intervention Technical Assistant, July 2005-July 2006
North Dakota Deaf-Blind Project Coordinator, School for the Deaf, Devils Lake, ND, September 2005 - July 2006.
Adjunct Faculty, UND Teaching & Learning, Early Childhood Education Online Instructor, 2007, 2010-2011.
Early Interventionist/Speech-Language Pathologist, Northeast Human Service Center, Grand Forks, ND. November 1999-2009.
- Votava, K. UND Open Education Resources (OER) Grant for course TL 252 Child Development (Internal, Funded for $3,000-May 2023).
- Nelson, K., Walch, T. & Votava, K. Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE): Safe & Supportive Schools: Mental Health Service Professional Demonstration Grant Program, Assistance Listing Number 84.184X. Funded for $6 million over 5 years.
- Cho, H. & Votava, K. UND EHD RFD Research Mini-Grant “Social Emotional Learning in Teacher Education” (Internal, Funded for $3,000-April 2022-2023).
- Faculty Teaching Professional Development Fund Award, Fall 2022, $500.
- Nelson, K., Walch, T. & Votava, K. Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE): Safe & Supportive Schools: Mental Health Service Professional Demonstration Grant Program, Assistance Listing Number 84.184X. Not funded.
- Yearwood, J., De Silva, R., Votava, K. & Keengwe, G. Teaching Transformation and Development Academy (TTaDA) Summer 2022 Inclusive Excellence and Diversity Workshop. Early Childhood Education and Indigenous Teaching Education group.
- Nelson, K., Walch, T. & Votava, K. UND EHD RFD Research Mini-Grant “School Health Hub” (Internal, Funded $3,000-April 2022-2023)
- Heitkamp, T., Votava, K. & Stupinsky, R. Foundation for Opioid Response Efforts (FORE) grant proposal: FORE Dakota Tribal Initiative (FORE-DTI). Co-Grant Writer. Concept Paper submitted September 2021, outcome unknown for $500,000 for up to five years totaling 1.5 million. Not funded.
- Votava, K. & Johnson, C. Personnel Development To Improve Services and Results for Children With Disabilities- Leadership Development Programs: Increasing the Capacity of Leaders To Improve Systems Serving Children With Disabilities Co-Grant Writer, Spring 2020. Funded $200,000 per year for up to five years totaling $1 million.
- Votava, K., & Hunter, C. NAFSCE Family Engagement Consortium, Fall 2019, UND and North Dakota Department of Public Instruction.
- Clinton, V., & Votava, K. Curriculum development grant T&L 252, Spring 2019, UND.
- Votava, K. & Johnson, C. Preschool development grant Co-Grant Writer, Fall 2018, receiving 2.275 million in funding, NDDPI.