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Evaluation of Free to Grow: Head Start Partnerships to Promote Substance-Free Communities

Author

Listed:
  • Mark Wolfson

    (Department of Social Sciences and Health Policy, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA, mwolfson@wfubmc.edu)

  • Heather Champion

    (Research, Innovation and Product Development, Center for Creative Leadership, Greensboro, NC, USA)

  • Todd Rogers

    (RTI International, San Francisco, CA, USA)

  • Rebecca H. Neiberg

    (Department of Biostatistical Sciences, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA)

  • Dianne C. Barker

    (Barker Bi-Coastal Health Consultants, Inc., Calabasas, CA, USA)

  • Jennifer W. Talton

    (Department of Biostatistical Sciences, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA)

  • Edward H. Ip

    (Department of Biostatistical Sciences, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA)

  • Ralph B. D'Agostino Jr

    (Department of Biostatistical Sciences, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA)

  • Maria T. Parries

    (Department of Social Sciences and Health Policy, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA)

  • Doug Easterling

    (Department of Social Sciences and Health Policy, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA)

Abstract

Free to Grow: Head Start Partnerships to Promote Substance-free Communities (FTG) was a national initiative in which local Head Start (HS) agencies, in partnership with other community organizations, implemented a mix of evidence-based family-strengthening and community-strengthening strategies. The evaluation of FTG used a quasi-experimental design to compare 14 communities that participated in the FTG intervention with 14 matched comparison communities. Telephone surveys were conducted with two cohorts of the primary caregivers of children in HS at baseline and then annually for 2 years. The survey was also administered to repeated cross-sectional samples of primary caregivers of young children who were not enrolled in HS. No consistent evidence was found in changes in family functioning or neighborhood conditions when the 14 FTG sites were compared to 14 matched sites. However, caregivers of young children who were not in HS in three high-implementing FTG sites showed evidence of improvements in neighborhood organization, neighborhood norms against substance abuse, and child disciplinary practices. Results provide highly limited support for the concept that family and neighborhood conditions that are likely to affect child development and well-being can be changed through organized efforts implemented by local HS programs.

Suggested Citation

  • Mark Wolfson & Heather Champion & Todd Rogers & Rebecca H. Neiberg & Dianne C. Barker & Jennifer W. Talton & Edward H. Ip & Ralph B. D'Agostino Jr & Maria T. Parries & Doug Easterling, 2011. "Evaluation of Free to Grow: Head Start Partnerships to Promote Substance-Free Communities," Evaluation Review, , vol. 35(2), pages 153-188, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:evarev:v:35:y:2011:i:2:p:153-188
    DOI: 10.1177/0193841X11403989
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Forster, J.L. & Murray, D.M. & Wolfson, M. & Blaine, T.M. & Wagenaar, A.C. & Hennrikus, D.J., 1998. "The effects of community policies to reduce youth access to tobacco," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 88(8), pages 1193-1198.
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