Mark Innocenti

Dr. Mark Innocenti serves as Director of the Research and Evaluation Division at Utah State University's Center for Persons with Disabilities (a University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities) and holds an Associate Professor appointment in Psychology. With over 30 years of experience, his interdisciplinary work focuses on community-based interventions for infants and young children with disabilities and their families through research, model demonstration, and evaluation projects.

Education

• B.S. in Psychology, Northeastern University (1977)
• M.S. in Psychology, Utah State University (1984)
• Ph.D. in Psychology, Utah State University (1991)

Research Focus

Innocenti's work centers on early childhood intervention systems, emphasizing practical applications in real-world settings. His research spans bilingual language development, naturalistic intervention strategies, parent-child interaction dynamics, and transition processes for children with disabilities. Current projects target assessment measure development, home visiting efficacy, and preschool interventions to prevent special education needs, reflecting his commitment to evidence-based policy and practice.

Professional Recognition

• Midcareer Fellow, Zero to Three (1999-2000)

Leadership & Grants

As Principal Investigator, Innocenti has secured major funding including the decade-long Longitudinal Institute on Early Intervention Effects/Costs and the Bilingual Early Language and Literacy Support (BELLS) Project. He currently leads Utah State's Cache County site for the National Children's Study, examining child health trajectories from prenatal stages through adulthood. His grant portfolio consistently addresses systemic issues in Head Start programs, at-risk environments, and cross-cultural service delivery.

Organizational Affiliations

Innocenti directs the Research and Evaluation Division at USU's Center for Persons with Disabilities, where his team implements community-driven studies. He serves on the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) Board of Directors and is Past-President of CEC's Division for Early Childhood (DEC), shaping national standards for early intervention practice and policy.