Evaluation of Community Programs for Early Childhood Development: Parental Perspectives and Recommendations

Partain, Paige I.; Kumbamu, Ashok; Asiedu, Gladys B.; Cristiani, Valeria; Deling, Marilyn; Weis, Christine; Lynch, Brian

doi:10.1007/s10995-018-2601-3

Published: 16 July 2018

Evaluation of Community Programs for Early Childhood Development: Parental Perspectives and Recommendations

Paige I. Partain^1,3,
Ashok Kumbamu²,
Gladys B. Asiedu²,
Valeria Cristiani³,
Marilyn Deling⁴,
Christine Weis⁵ &
Brian Lynch³

Maternal and Child Health Journal volume 23, pages 120–130 (2019)Cite this article

916 Accesses
5 Citations
1 Altmetric
Metrics details

Abstract

Objectives Optimal early childhood development is crucial for promoting positive child health outcomes. Community programs supporting child development are available throughout the United States but general parental perceptions of such programs are not well understood. This study aimed to examine parental perceptions of community programs for early childhood development in a semi-urban city of the US. Methods Data were collected from focus groups (n = 4) composed of English-fluent parents from the local community with at least one child aged 0–5 years. After generation of verbatim transcripts, data were analyzed by two independent coders in order to identify themes. Results Parental perceptions were categorized into four areas: (1) Utilization of community services, (2) Helpful aspects of community services, (3) Negative aspects of community services and (4) Parental recommendations for improved resource utilization. Helpful aspects identified included social and economic support, provision of parental education, and developmental screening and medical support. Negative aspects included utilization of standardized assessment tools, awareness of agencies and resources, and access to services. In order to improve resource utilization, parents suggested improved communication with parents and the child’s medical home, transparency, and translation of program information into other languages. Conclusions For Practice Overall, participants felt that community programs that support early childhood development and parenting were helpful. However, community agencies can improve on communication with parents and medical providers as well as translation of program information.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Access options

Buy single article

Instant access to the full article PDF.

43,34 €

Price includes VAT (Finland)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

References

Beasley, L. O., Ridings, L. E., Smith, T. J., Shields, J. D., Silovsky, J. F., Beasley, W., et al. (2018). A qualitative evaluation of engagement and attrition in a nurse home visiting program: From the participant and provider perspective. Prevention Science, 19(4), 528–537. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11121-017-0846-5.
Article PubMed Google Scholar
Carter, N., Bryant-Lukosius, D., DiCenso, A., Blythe, J., & Neville, A. J. (2014). The use of triangulation in qualitative research. Oncology Nursing Forum, 41(5), 545–547. https://doi.org/10.1188/14.ONF.545-547.
Article PubMed Google Scholar
Council on Children With, D., Section on Developmental Behavioral, P., Bright Futures Steering, C., & Medical Home Initiatives for Children With Special Needs Project Advisory, C. (2006). Identifying infants and young children with developmental disorders in the medical home: an algorithm for developmental surveillance and screening. Pediatrics, 118(1), 405–420. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2006-1231.
Folger, A. T., Brentley, A. L., Goyal, N. K., Hall, E. S., Sa, T., Peugh, J. L., et al. (2016). Evaluation of a community-based approach to strengthen retention in early childhood home visiting. Prevention Science, 17(1), 52–61.
Article PubMed PubMed Central Google Scholar
Garner, A. S., Shonkoff, J. P.,, Family, C., H., Committee on Early Childhood, A., Dependent, Behavioral, C., P (2012). Committee on psychosocial aspects of early childhood adversity, toxic stress, and the role of the pediatrician: Translating developmental science into lifelong health. Pediatrics, 129(1), e224–e231. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2011-2662.
Article PubMed Google Scholar
Holland, M. L., Christensen, J. J., Shone, L. P., Kearney, M. H., & Kitzman, H. J. (2014). Women’s reasons for attrition from a nurse home visiting program. JOGNN - Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, & Neonatal Nursing, 43(1), 61–70. https://doi.org/10.1111/1552-6909.12263.
Article Google Scholar
Hsieh, H. F., & Shannon, S. E. (2005). Three approaches to qualitative content analysis. Qualitative Health Research, 15(9), 1277–1288. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049732305276687.
Article Google Scholar
Kondracki, N. L., Wellman, N. S., & Amundson, D. R. (2002). Content analysis: review of methods and their applications in nutrition education. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 34(4), 224–230.
Article PubMed Google Scholar
Korfmacher, J., Green, B., Staerkel, F., Peterson, C., Cook, G., Roggman, L., et al. (2008). Parental Involvement in early childhood home visiting. Child & Youth Care Forum, 37(4), 171–196. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10566-008-9057-3.
Article Google Scholar
Ling, J., Robbins, L. B., & Hines-Martin, V. (2016). Perceived Parental barriers to and strategies for supporting physical activity and healthy eating among head start children. Journal of Community Health, 41(3), 593–602. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10900-015-0134-x.
Article PubMed Google Scholar
Little, A. A., Kamholz, K., Corwin, B. K., Barrero-Castillero, A., & Wang, C. J. (2015). Understanding barriers to early intervention services for preterm infants: Lessons from two states. Academic pediatrics, 15(4), 430–438. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acap.2014.12.006.
Article PubMed PubMed Central Google Scholar
Marshall, J. L., Green, J. M., & Spiby, H. (2014). Parents’ views on how health professionals should work with them now to get the best for their child in the future. Health Expectations, 17(4), 477–487. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1369-7625.2012.00774.x.
Article PubMed Google Scholar
Marshall, J., Tanner, J. P., Kozyr, Y. A., & Kirby, R. S. (2015). Services and supports for young children with Down syndrome: parent and provider perspectives. Child: Care, Health & Development, 41(3), 365–373. https://doi.org/10.1111/cch.12162.
CAS Article Google Scholar
McCurdy, K., & Daro, D. (2001). Parent involvement in family support programs: An integrated theory. Family Relations, 50(2), 113–121.
Article Google Scholar
McGowan, B. S., Wasko, M., Vartabedian, B. S., Miller, R. S., Freiherr, D. D., & Abdolrasulnia, M. (2012). Understanding the factors that influence the adoption and meaningful use of social media by physicians to share medical information. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 14(5), e117. https://doi.org/10.2196/jmir.2138.
Article PubMed PubMed Central Google Scholar
Minkovitz, C. S., O’Neill, K. M., & Duggan, A. K. (2016). Home visiting: A service strategy to reduce poverty and mitigate its consequences. Academic Pediatrics, 16(3 Suppl), 105–111. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acap.2016.01.005.
Article Google Scholar
Muzik, M., Kirk, R., Alfafara, E., Jonika, J., & Waddell, R. (2016). Teenage mothers of black and minority ethnic origin want access to a range of mental and physical health support: A participatory research approach. Health Expectations, 19(2), 403–415. https://doi.org/10.1111/hex.12364.
Article PubMed Google Scholar
Patton, M. (2002). Qualitative Research and Evaluation Methods 3rd edn. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications.
Google Scholar
Shanti, C. (2017). Engaging parents in early head start home-based programs: How do home visitors do this? Journal of Evidence Informed Social Work, 14(5), 311–328. https://doi.org/10.1080/23761407.2017.1302858.
Article PubMed Google Scholar
Shonkoff, J. P. (2016). Capitalizing on advances in science to reduce the health consequences of early childhood adversity. JAMA Pediatrics, 170(10), 1003–1007. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapediatrics.2016.1559.
Article PubMed Google Scholar
Shonkoff, J. P., Boyce, W. T., & McEwen, B. S. (2009). Neuroscience, molecular biology, and the childhood roots of health disparities: building a new framework for health promotion and disease prevention. JAMA, 301(21), 2252–2259. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2009.754.
Article CAS PubMed Google Scholar
Silverstein, M., Lamberto, J., DePeau, K., & Grossman, D. C. (2008). “You get what you get”: unexpected findings about low-income parents’ negative experiences with community resources. Pediatrics, 122(6), e1141–e1148. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2007-3587.
Article PubMed PubMed Central Google Scholar
United States Census Bureau. (2012–2016). American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates: Olmsted County, MN. Retrieved from https://factfinder.census.gov/faces/nav/jsf/pages/index.xhtml. Accessed 26 Apr 2018. Accessed 26 Apr 2018.
Wagner, M., Spiker, D., Linn, M. I., Gerlach-Downie, S., & Hernandez, F. (2003). Dimensions of parental engagement in home visiting programs. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 23(4), 171–187.
Article Google Scholar

Download references

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Rochester Community Baptist Church and The Place for their support in providing meeting places for our focus groups. We would also like to acknowledge Olmsted County Public Health and Early Head Start of Olmsted County for their partnership and collaboration on this project.

Author information

Affiliations

Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Boston Children’s Hospital, 300 Longwood Avenue, BCH 3222, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
Paige I. Partain
Department of Health Services Research, Robert D. and Patricia E. Kern Center for the Science of Healthcare Delivery, Mayo Clinic, 200 1st St SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
Ashok Kumbamu & Gladys B. Asiedu
Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Mayo Clinic, 200 1st St SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
Paige I. Partain, Valeria Cristiani & Brian Lynch
Olmsted County Public Health Services, 2100 Campus Dr SE, Rochester, MN, 55904, USA
Marilyn Deling
Child Care Resource and Referral, 126 Woodlake Dr, Rochester, MN, 55904, USA
Christine Weis

Authors

Paige I. Partain
View author publications
You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar
Ashok Kumbamu
View author publications
You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar
Gladys B. Asiedu
View author publications
You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar
Valeria Cristiani
View author publications
You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar
Marilyn Deling
View author publications
You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar
Christine Weis
View author publications
You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar
Brian Lynch
View author publications
You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Paige I. Partain.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Partain, P.I., Kumbamu, A., Asiedu, G.B. et al. Evaluation of Community Programs for Early Childhood Development: Parental Perspectives and Recommendations. Matern Child Health J 23, 120–130 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-018-2601-3

Download citation

Published: 16 July 2018
Issue Date: 15 January 2019
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-018-2601-3

Keywords

Child development
Community
Focus groups
Early intervention
Parenting