Head Start Research, Demonstration & Evaluation
By James A. Griffin, Social Science Research Analyst, RD&E Branch, ACYF
The RD&E Branch of ACYF is nearing completion of a descriptive study of the Head Start health component. The purpose of this study is to provide a national "snapshot" of how local Head Start centers implement the Health Component of their programs, and in doing so meet the medical, dental, nutrition, and mental health needs of the children and families they serve.
This study was conducted with a random sample of Head Start children and their families drawn from Head Start centers across 23 States and Puerto Rico. The sample started with 40 Head Start programs selected from 1,834 programs (grantee and delegate agencies) which enrolled 4-year- old children. The second stage of sampling was with 80 Head Start centers (2 centers for each program), while the final stage was designed to select 15 children per center to meet the goal of 1,200 parent interviews, resulting in a nationally representative sample of Head Start families. The design resulted in a sample reflective of the overall Head Start program.
Health interviews were conducted with the parents of children selected to be in the study. Interviews also were conducted with appropriate Head Start personnel (i.e., Health Coordinators, Program Directors) at each of the participating Head Start programs. Staff reported on child health problems and health risk factors present in the community, and provided feedback on how Head Start provides or accesses services for families. Parents and staff reported on the barriers to health care that families and staff confronted, and how Head Start assisted in accessing health care. Information on child health screening, examination, immunization, referral and treatment, and services data were extracted from the Head Start files.
A total of 1,189 parent interviews and health file reviews were completed at 81 centers which were visited at the end of the 1993-94 program year. Staff reports were based on 267 interviews with program coordinators and directors, while observational reports provided data on 177 meals provided at the centers. All data were collected in the late Spring of 1994 as the children were completing their Head Start enrollment and preparing for entry into kindergarten.
This study is expected to provide Head Start with a description of the current health services utilization patterns of Head Start children across the four health domains of medical, dental, nutrition, and mental health, and the varying service delivery models Head Start programs employ to address the health needs of the children they serve.
Clearly, the Health Component is recognized by most parents and staff as a very valuable and unique piece of the overall Head Start program. It is hoped that the "snapshot" taken by this study will generate useful research questions that will drive future studies. The information generated through this effort also maybe used in developing future policies to enhance the health services delivered to Head Start children and their families.
Important Immunization Phone Numbers:American Academy of Pediatric,*: 800-433-9016
CDC's National Immunization Program: 800-CDC-SHOT
Vacunas desde Ia cuna (National Hispanic Immunization Hotline): 800-232-0233
Every Child by Two: 202-544-0808
Immunization Education and Action Committee: 202-863-1638
National Coalition for Adult Immunization: 301-656-0003
National Council of La Raza*: 202-785-1670
Task Force for Childhood Survival and Development: 404-861-6098
- *These organizations have materials in English as well as other languages