Children living in poverty are twice as likely to be exposed to traumatic life events. What does the research say about Head Start’s impact on child welfare?
- Head Start children have lower rates of abuse and neglect and are less likely to be involved in the child welfare system.
- Head Start provides parenting training opportunities, improves parent involvement and parent-child relationships, and decreases parental distress.
- For children already involved in the child welfare system, Head Start enhances school readiness and social-emotional outcomes and decreases their subsequent encounters.
Download the fact sheet, explore the research citations, and explore the Head Start Advantage.
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