Preschool With Family Support Services

Local governments can invest in this strategy using State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
  • This strategy can help address educational disparities and promote healthy childhood environments. The U.S. Department of Treasury has indicated that strategies that help achieve these outcomes are eligible for the use of Fiscal Recovery Funds
  • Investments in this strategy are SLFRF-eligible as long as they are made in qualified census tracts or are designed to assist populations or communities disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.

Program overview

  • Center-based preschool programs provide a range of family support services
  • Combination of high-quality early childhood education, parent education and training programs, home visiting, and other support services

Evidence and impacts

Proven

Ranked as having the highest level of evidence by County Health Rankings and Roadmaps

  • Increase academic achievement, particularly in children from low-income households
  • Effects most strongly observed immediately after preschool but can last through schooling years
  • Positive impact on parenting behaviors and family well-being
  • Improves social-emotional development, may reduce social deviance and risky behaviors in adolescence

Best practices in implementation

  • Note: This content is under review
  • Programs with a greater number of services tend to have better outcomes. Include several well-designed family support services such as home care, transportation, and health services.
  • Programs with longer durations tend to produce stronger outcomes
  • Include follow up programs that aid the child’s transition to kindergarten, primary, and even high school

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