Arkansas Early Head Start Research Project

2004

The mission of the Early Head Start program is to promote healthy prenatal outcomes for pregnant women, enhance the development of very young children and promote healthy family functioning. Early Head Start programs are designed to produce outcomes in four domains: (1) children’s development (including health, resiliency, social competence, and cognitive and language development), (2) family development (including parenting and relationships with children, the home environment and family functioning, family health, parental involvement, and economic self-sufficiency), (3) child-care staff development (including professional development and relationships with parents), (4) community development (including enhanced child care quality, community collaboration, and integration of services to support families with young children). The focus of this evaluation will be on the effectiveness of the EHS program. Specifically, is there a difference in the those children who received Early Head Start Services and those who did not? While the national study endeavors to provide answers to the most important questions regarding the impact in the four domains of Early Head Start on children, families, staff and communities, the local research conducted at each of the 17 sites is very important. Variation in major outcome measures between sites is to be expected. Local data will be critical in explaining site differences on major impact measures.

health, early childhood intervention, rural low-income

Performing Research or Evaluation, Developing & Disseminating Information

Quality Assurance, Education & Early Intervention, Child Care-Related Activities, Health-Related Activities, Quality of Life

Professionals and Para-Professionals, Family Members/Caregivers, General Public

Racial or Ethnic Minorities, Disadvantaged Circumstances, Geographic Areas, Rural/Remote

Mulit-County, Regional, National

N/A