Child-Parent Centers
Program basics
- Provides both preschool and comprehensive support to low-income children and families
- Features small class sizes, free breakfast and lunch, and health screenings
- Classes are held in the elementary school building that students will eventually attend
- Parents are required to participate in school-based activities at least a half a day per week
- Staff conducts home visits and helps families connect to social services
Strength of evidence
Evidence level: Strong (second-highest tier)
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Strong (second-highest tier)
Ranked as having the highest level of evidence by County Health Rankings and Roadmaps; the second-highest level of evidence by the National Institute of Justice
Target population
Preschool-aged children
Program cost
$5,600 per child per year
Implementation locations
- Several sites in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Minnesota
Dates active
1967–present
Outcomes and impact
- Improves cognitive skills, socioemotional development, reading, and math skills
- Reduces grade retention and special education usage
- Improves likelihood of postsecondary degree attainment
- Yields $10.83 in societal benefits per dollar spent
Keys to successful implementation
- Note: This section is under review
- Build close, high-engagement relationships with parents by including parents as teaching aides, chaperones, and in extra curricular activities. Parents must commit 2.5 hours of weekly involvement.
- Make adult education available to teach remedial academic skills and parenting techniques.
- Hold Pre-K in the same school building as K-3 to give children a smooth transition between grades
- Carry out programming through a collaborative team consisting of three vital leadership roles: A Head Teacher, who managers the curriculum and teaching; a Parent Resource Teacher who coordinates with parents and oversees all parent education; and a School Community Representative responsible for recruitment, enrollment, and attendance
