California recently committed to making prekindergarten (PreK) universal through the expansion of transitional kindergarten (TK) and other state-funded programs. Between 2021-22 and 2023-24, TK enrollment doubled, from about 75,000 to over 151,000 children. Approximately 59% of eligible 4-year-olds enrolled in TK in 2023-24. Across publicly funded…

This National Head Start Services Snapshot summarizes key data on demographics and services for preschool-age children served by Head Start programs. The data in this Snapshot is a subset of the annual Program Information Report (PIR) submission to the Office of Head Start. Data categories include: (1) Funded Enrollment; (2) Funded Enrollment by…

This article describes a conceptual and empirical approach for estimating a human capital production function of child development that incorporates mother- or child-fixed effects. The use of mother- or child-fixed effects is common in this applied economics literature, but its application is often inconsistent with human capital theory. We…

Background: Public preschool can provide opportunities for earlier detection of child health problems and receipt of special needs services. This is especially important for children from low-income households who disproportionately face cost barriers to obtaining health screenings and services. Objective: This study explores the possibility that…

The National Social Assistance Family Package Programme is an integrated social assistance framework designed to provide comprehensive support to poor and vulnerable families across Cambodia. The programme aims to protect vulnerable households from falling deeper into poverty, support human capital development and promote inclusive growth.…

Funders of social interventions that address complex child and family welfare concerns for highly vulnerable populations are increasingly seeking cost-effective and rapid mixed method evaluations of their services. This paper describes a mind mapping approach that was used to collect valid and reliable qualitative data from large numbers of…

Background: The abuse of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in care services seems to be relatively common, although there are anecdotal suggestions that abuse may be predictable and preventable. Method: Evidence related to how abuse is detected and prevented within services was reviewed. Database and ancestry searches were…

Background: There are growing expectations internationally that schools and systems will use research evidence to inform their improvement efforts. Such developments raise important questions about what it means to use research evidence "well" in education. Purpose: To date, there has been wide-ranging debate about what counts as quality…

How can families of children with disabilities plan for lasting financial security at every stage of life? Find clear answers in "The Special Needs Planning Guide," a step-by-step companion for parents as they progress through the complexities of planning for the future of their family and their child. Written by two financial planning…

Many preschool agencies nationwide continue to experience closures and/or conversions to virtual or hybrid instruction due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the importance of understanding young children's learning and development during the COVID emergency, limited knowledge exists on adaptable practices of assessing young children during…

Objective: This paper reports on a programme which sought to engage individuals and groups who are underrepresented in the UK labour market. The programme aimed to improve access to employment opportunities and provide practical support in job applications. The focus was on encouraging people to seek employment in the health and social care…

Many of the nearly six million autistic adolescents and adults in the United States require support to navigate daily life. Family members often provide the first line of support for autistic youth by providing care and coordinating services. Although considerable research has examined the perspectives of family members caring for young autistic…

The "Child Behavior Checklist for Ages 1.5-5" (CBCL/1½-5) has been widely used by researchers and clinicians in the field of special education and psychology. The purpose of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of the CBCL/1½-5 with a sample of preschool children from low-income families using the Rasch model.…

Higher education for health care professionals faces numerous challenges. It is important to develop and apply methods supporting education, especially the practical skills. This scoping review aimed to explore the activities and learning outcomes of digital technology in practical skills teaching and learning in higher education for the social…

Rising poverty in suburbs has led to increased interest in how well suburban safety nets function. Apart from public assistance programs, community-based nonprofit health and human service organizations play a central role in suburban efforts to address racial and economic inequalities. Understanding how nonprofit services are distributed across…