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Summary

Head Start provided free childcare, preschool, and related services to disadvantaged families with the aim of increasing children's school readiness and supporting parental well-being. 

Head Start provided free childcare, preschool, and related services to disadvantaged families with the aim of increasing children's school readiness and supporting parental well-being. The program provided home and center based care and education as well as wellness visits, parenting classes, and networking opportunities. Head Start also served as a bridge to additional public services such as health care, nutrition, and housing assistance. 

The program targeted families living at or below the federal poverty thresholds with children aged three to four. The nationally representative study was conducted across 23 states and Puerto Rico. 

Populations and employment barriers: Parents

Studies of this intervention

Study quality rating Study counts per rating
Low Low 1

Implementation details

Organizations implementing intervention

Local Head Start providers implemented the program. 

Local context

The study was conducted in 23 states and Puerto Rico with a nationally representative sample of 383 Head Start centers across all Head Start regions.

Characteristics of research participants
Black or African American
30%
White
33%
Hispanic or Latino of any race
38%

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