Public Investments That Positively Impact Child and Family Outcomes: What the Research Tells Us

Abstract

Investing in children reduces poverty and strengthens the nation's economy. But how does one determine which investments in children yield the greatest benefits over the long term? In this paper, Voices for America's Children examines the effectiveness of select education and intervention programs that demonstrate proven results and desirable outcomes including a child's readiness for school, early achievement and later life experiences. The programs reviewed are: (1) Head Start; (2) Early Head Start; (3) High/Scope Perry Preschool Project; (4) Chicago's Child-Parent Centers (CPC); (5) Brookline Early Education Project (BEEP); and (6) Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP). It is concluded that, while there is plenty of evidence to show the correlation between quality intervention and early education programs on child and family outcomes, studies suggest there is still room for improvement. (Contains 42 footnotes.) [This report was created by Voices for America's Children.] (ERIC)