I hope that this letter finds you doing well. I am writing to make you aware
and to get your thoughts one some recent findings that I have come
across in my current line of research. I have been looking at the
connection between poverty/adverse childhood experiences (ACE’s) and
developmental outcomes such as emotional regulation, behavioral
outcomes, socio-emotional outcomes, academic outcomes, etc. In my
research I found two intervention programs (Head Start, Legacy) that
come from different approaches, and both have had positive results. I
would like to first bring your attention to the two studies. I feel if used
synergistically these programs would be found to enhance each other in a
way that would benefit the child, the family unit, and the community.)
There was a study conducted by Lee & Markey (2022) in which they were
interested in two things. First, do ACEs have an impact on developmental
outcomes; specifically cognitive, social, and health outcomes? Second,
does the Head Start program have an impact, if any, on the effects
between ACEs and cognitive, social, and health outcomes (Lee & Markey,
2022)? The data was collected from the U.S. Head Start Impact Study
(HSIS) (2022).
The sample size was 4,442, consisting of 2,646 children who were in the
Head Start program group, and 1,796 who were not in the the Head Start
program (Lee & Markey, 2022). Using regression analysis they found that
ACEs had a significant impact on cognitive, socio-emotional, and health
outcomes (2022). Compared with children who had a 1 ACE score,
children with and ACE score of of 2 or 3, had lower applied problem
solving skills, lower social skills scores, and more behaviors problems
(2022). In regard to the impact of Head Start, interaction analysis showed
that those who enrolled in the program had higher academic scores,
better health outcomes, and fewer behavioral problems.)
The second study (Barry et. al. 2022) looked at the impact of the Legacy
for Children (LC) program on the socio-emotional and behavioral
development at 4 to 6 years post intervention. The mothers were first
recruited for the program during the prenatal phase of their pregnancy.
The LC program was developed to help improve the developmental
outcomes of families living in poverty (2022).)
The sample consisted of 364 mother-child dyads who had completed at
least one of the behavioral or socio-emotional outcome measures at the
third grade follow-up appointment (Barry et. al. 2022). Using bivariate
analysis, researchers found that mothers who were in the LC program
reported fewer externalizing problems and lower risk for adaptive skill
problems (2022). Using regression analysis they found that the children
associated with the LC program had better outcomes scores in
externalizing and adaptive skills (2022).
The reason that I think these studies are interesting is because of the
approach of the programs. Both showed positive results in behavior and
socio-emotional outcomes (Lee & Markey, 2022, Barry et. al. 2022). The
Head Start program was established for children birth to five years who
are economically disadvantaged with the purpose of enhancing the child’s
overall wellbeing (Lee & Markey, 2022). It focuses on the child school
readiness by helping the child and family with education, health,
nutritional, social, and other services (Lee & Markey, 2022).)
The Legacy for Children (LC) program is a parent focused prevention
program (Barry et. al. 2022). The LC program is a group-based program
that is based on promoting maternal self-efficacy, supporting sensitive
parent-child relationships, and helping to create a sense of community
among mothers (2022). Head Start and LC together would seem to impact
the child directly through the head start program, the mother through the
LC program, and as a result of both, the family and the community. Your
insights would be greatly appreciated.)
References
Barry, C. et. al. (2022).Behavioral and Socio-emotional Outcomes of the
Legacy for
ChildrenRandomized Control Trial to Promote Healthy Development of
Children Living
in Poverty, 4 to 6 Years Post-intervention,)Journal of Developmental &
Behavioral
Pediatrics,43(1).))
)Lee, K. & Markey, J. (2022). Effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences on
Developmental
Outcomes for Head Start eligible Low Income Children.)Journal of Social
Service
Research, 48(1), 45-62.)https/doi.org/10.1080/01488376.2021.1951925
