Browse the Collection

Early Head Start Research and Evaluation Project
United States. Administration for Children and Families,
Education Resources Information Center

This project involves both a cross-site national study and local longitudinal studies of low-income families with young children in Early Head Start sites in 17 communities in the United States. The project was funded in two waves: Birth to Three (1996-2001) and Pre-Kindergarten Follow-Up (2001-2004). The five major components of the project are: an implementation study, an impact evaluation, local research studies, policy studies, and efforts toward continuous program improvement. The implementation study assessed the level and quality of implementation of EHS at each site, as well as variations across sites, with regard to five program areas: child development and health care; family partnerships; community involvement and partnerships; staff development; and program management. Results include a profile of each of the 17 research programs, their services and expected outcomes. The information gathered was critical for the development of the impact evaluation analyses and the identification of pathways to full implementation. The impact evaluation followed a random assignment, longitudinal design to examine how child, parent and family outcomes were influenced by EHS programs, as well as by variations in program approaches and community contexts, program implementation and services, and the characteristics of children and their families. The third component involves 16 local research projects conducted by 15 university-based researchers who partnered with Early Head Start research programs. Designed to investigate the unique outcomes and program functions of each Early Head Start program, these longitudinal studies continue through the second phase of the project, Pre-Kindergarten Follow-up (2001-2004). The policy studies component focuses on issues related to welfare reform, health and disabilities, child-care and fatherhood. The component of continuous program improvement consists of reports and presentations disseminating new information that can help all Early Head Start programs to increase their ability to meet the needs of families.

Major Research Projects

The evaluation of welfare reform in Iowa: Final impact report [Executive summary]
Iowa. Department of Human Services. Division of Financial, Health and Work Supports, 2002
Princeton, NJ: Mathematica Policy Research.

A summary of an evaluation of changes in welfare reform policies encouraging employment-oriented participation in Iowa

Executive Summary

Sustaining employment among low income parents: The problems of inflexible jobs, child care and family support: A research review
United States. Administration for Children and Families. Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation, 31 December, 1998
Washington, DC: U.S. Administration for Children and Families, Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation.

A review of research examining the relationship between employment retention and flexibility in family support, jobs, and child care arrangements among low-income families

Other

Sustaining employment among low income parents: The role of quality in child care: A research review: Final
United States. Administration for Children and Families. Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation, 1998
Washington, DC: U.S. Administration for Children and Families, Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation.

A review of research on the relationship between child care quality and low income parents' employment decisions, addressing issues of quality definition, measurement, perspectives, availability, cost, and policy, with recommendations for further study

Other

Welfare reform and children: A synthesis of impacts in five states: The Project on State-Level Child Outcomes [Executive summary]
Tout, Kathryn, 2004
Washington, DC: U.S. Administration for Children and Families.

The executive summary of a report evaluating the impact of pilot welfare reform programs on children and families in Connecticut, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, and Minnesota.

Executive Summary