Making Connections was the Annie E. Casey Foundation's signature place-based, community-change initiative of the 2000s. It sought to build on previous work and launch an effort focused firmly on the framework of family strengthening. The Foundation started Making Connections in 22 places, focusing eventually on first 10, then seven sites. It…

In late 1999, philanthropist Susie Buffett wanted to make the smartest possible investment to improve public education in her hometown of Omaha, Nebraska. She and her then-foundation president, Dan Pedersen, spoke with Superintendent John Mackiel regarding how he would choose to use private funds to enhance opportunities for Omaha's 46,000…

This study attempted to identify the skills, knowledge, and attitudes that parents of children in bilingual education programs believe are important for them to play a meaningful role in their children's education. Parent training models, some created specifically for use with language minority parents, have not resulted in increased parent…

Father involvement enhances children's well-being. A growing body of research supports this conclusion, showing that children with involved fathers exhibit greater school readiness, increased cognitive development, higher levels of empathy, and other positive characteristics (Administration for Children and Families 2004a). Research also indicates…

A rationale for early childhood and parent involvement programs is provided in this volume, along with guidelines and examples of how to proceed. Each of its nine chapters includes a bibliography. Chapter 1, "Rationale for Early Intervention," examines such topics as the importance of the early years, teaching parents to intervene, and…

This report describes the beginning of a community-based effort across Colorado to promote healthy lifestyles and modify risk behavior of children, in conjunction with the Colorado Comprehensive Health Education Act of 1990. The report summarizes what was accomplished during the first year of funding and offers a picture of how communities across…

The Colorado legislature, through passage of the "Colorado Comprehensive Health Education Act," declared that comprehensive health education is an essential element in public education in the state. The first half of this volume reprints Title 22, Article 25, "Colorado Comprehensive Health Education Act" from the Colorado…

This report provides practitioners in the field of child and family services with important guidelines on early childhood education and family support programs including program design, community collaboration, funding, and staff management. The book presents the five main components of establishing an early childhood education and family support…