Yellow Tulip Consulting brings together child development experts, clinicians, researchers, and practitioners. Our work is grounded in child development research and a deep respect for children and families. We believe in the power of relationships.

Our founder, Katie Volk, Ph.D., specializes in applying child development knowledge to the everyday work of being with children. She has particular expertise in infant mental health, early childhood development, and trauma-informed care. Katie has worked with hundreds of organizations around the United States, spanning early education/care, homelessness, mental health, and substance use/recovery systems. She is a teacher, researcher, technical assistance provider, college faculty, and subject matter expert.  

Katie’s research interests include the relationships between young children and their caregivers while living in shelters, the developmental wellbeing of children with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS), and ways to strengthen child-serving services/systems. She is the co-creator of NEST, an ecological, psychometrically-validated screening tool for use with children ages 3-5. 

Education and Certifications:

  • MA, Child Development and Public Policy, Tufts University

  • Ph.D., Early Education & Care, UMass Boston 

  • CEIM (Certified Educator of Infant Massage), Infant Massage USA

  • Endorsed Infant Family Associate, Massachusetts Association for Infant Mental Health

Research Profile:

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Katherine-Volk

Why Yellow Tulip?

yellow tulips in sunlight

Traditionally, yellow tulips signify deep, unconditional love and - perhaps because of the way they grow - they can also symbolize life changes, rebirth, and taking on new challenges. Having worked with organizations, families, and children for more than 20 years, Yellow Tulip founder Katie Volk has seen these themes emerge time after time.

Tulips start as bulbs - planted beneath the soil in cool weather. So much takes place beneath the surface. Covered with leaves, the ground freezes, snow falls and melts. The first sign we have of growth happens many months later - green shoots appear and flowers begin to emerge.

Developmental processes - for children, caregivers, and organizations - are much the same: at a quick glance, we we may not see what is going. Only with close observation, patient attention, and dedicated nurturing can we see what emerges.