A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

Barberton City Schools
University of Akron
Children's Hospital Medical Center of Akron
JOBS program
Ohio Department of Education
Head Start
Akron-Summit Community Action Agency
Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy

What is the goal of the project?

To break the cycle of intergenerational poverty in Barberton, Ohio through a one-stop family support and early childhood intervention program providing an array of social, educational, and health services to parents and preschool-aged children.

Who participates in the project?

Low income families with preschool children; many JOBS participants.

What services are provided?

• Transportation
  
• Nutrition
  
• Adult literacy, parenting, and GED classes
  
• Case management and social work visits

How are the collaborators evaluating their success?

A total of 161 families were evaluated over an 18-month period. Parents completed a parent evaluation form, and children were assessed using the Learning Accomplishment Profile.

What are the collaborators learning?

• Overall, scores from 7 LAP dimensions show that the program enhances child development by 60 percent over what would be expected without intervention.
  
• There were gains in English and math scores.
  
• Success obtained on all levels, particularly on personal/family and self-sufficiency dimensions.
  
• Parents are satisfied with the program and find the staff easy to work with.

Contact Person

M. Elena Lopez
Harvard Family Research Project
Longfellow Hall, Appian Way
Cambridge, MA 02138
(617)495-9108 (Phone)
(617)495-8594 (Fax)

[School Board of Alachua County Family Services Center: Gainesville, Florida]

[Family Resource and Wellness Centers: Tucson, Arizona]