Charles Smith, Ph.D.

Charles leads research, evaluation, and data strategy initiatives designed to strengthen the quality and impact of afterschool and youth development programs. For more than 25 years, he has worked at the intersection of research, practice and systems improvement, helping educational and youth-serving organizations use evidence to improve outcomes for children and youth.

Throughout his career, Dr. Smith has contributed to the development, validation, and implementation of nationally recognized quality assessment, continuous improvement, and social-emotional learning frameworks used across the United States and internationally. Prior to joining Prime Time, he served as senior vice president for Research at the Forum for Youth Investment and founded the David P. Weikart Center for Youth Program Quality, where he helped advance field-wide approaches to quality improvement, accountability and youth development.

His research has focused on afterschool quality, social-emotional learning, STEM engagement, organizational improvement and the developmental relationships that help young people thrive. He has directed evaluations and research partnerships supported by federal agencies, state education departments, foundations, school districts and community organizations. His work has been published in academic journals, practitioner publications, and national reports focused on improving opportunities for children and youth.

At Prime Time, Dr. Smith works to generate actionable evidence that supports continuous improvement across Palm Beach County's afterschool ecosystem. His current interests include developmental systems, trauma-informed and attachment-aware practices, data governance, and the use of technology and analytics to strengthen decision-making and improve experiences for children, families and youth-serving professionals.