Family social networks and neighborhoods are suggested as major dimensions of the social environment which facilitate or defer family childrearing processes. These concepts are operationalized by describing the design of a family-oriented early intervention program as an exemplary model of a socio-ecological approach to childhood socialization.…

This paper presents the theoretical base and operational design of a neighborhood-based primary prevention program that seeks to enhance the development of very young children by focusing on the role of parents' social networks in supporting early child-rearing. Efforts to strengthen parents' involvement in and utilization of an informal network…

Findings imply the need to consider social contexts in which families function when implementing professional services. Networks provide emotional and material support and help in finding information and services. Professional efforts utilizing social networks should consider types of members most appropriate for providing aid. (Author/BEF)

The Child and Family Neighborhood Program, located in a suburb of Detroit, is an early childhood intervention project aimed at strengthening informal and formal family suoport systems and increasing parents' knowledge of child development. The program works with clusters of 10 parents and their young children (0-3 years) twice weekly in a…

This study examined ways in which 42 low income mothers used a multifaceted neighborhood-based parent education program. Two different patterns of sequential relationship between use of staff services, verbal participation in a discussion group, attendance, and formation of peer ties were identified. These patterns were shown to be related to…