Family Well-Being and Self-Sufficiency Service Use in Head Start: The Impact of Family Participation and Demographic Predictors of Service Use

Abstract

ABSTRACT Two-generation programs are designed to provide services to children and their parents, yet the extent to which parents use family well-being and self-sufficiency services is not widely known. We used data from the Head Start Impact Study to examine the effect of early care and education on parents’ use of family services. Demographic characteristics of parents were also examined in relation to service use. Research Findings: Results indicate that participation in Head Start had a positive significant effect on family service use. Parents with certain demographic characteristics (e.g., teen mother, not married, not employed, less than a high school degree), regardless of Head Start participation, were more likely to use services related to their families’ well-being. Practice or Policy: Early care and education programs can learn from the Head Start family service delivery approach to bolster the use of family well-being and self-sufficiency services.