Head Start is a national program that provides comprehensive developmental services for preschool children (ages 3 to 5) from low-income families and social services for their families. Approximately 1,400 community-based nonprofit organizations and school systems develop programs to meet specific needs. Head Start began in 1965 in the Office of…

This volume examines two-generation interventions as models that represent a new approach to assisting families in poverty. Five of the chapters examine current programs--their design, characteristics of participants, implementation issues, and in one case, evaluation outcomes. Other chapters offer a research and policy context for this…

This study examined states' policies toward families in the context of requirements of Part H of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act to provide early intervention services to all families with infants and toddlers with special needs. The study reviewed 13 "Year 4" applications for Part H funds from states in all geographical…

This report summarizes the activities of two workshops on child care options for low-income families. The workshops focused on factors affecting patterns of child care use among low-income families, child care and children's development, child care and economic self-sufficiency, and the structure and consequences of child care subsidies. It…