Title

Theories of Change and Outcomes in Home-Based Early Head Start Programs

Date

2014

Author(s)

Helen H. Raikes, Lori A. Roggman, Carla A. Peterson, Jeanne Brooks-Gunn, Rachel Chazan-Cohen, Xiaoyun Zhang, and Rachel F. Schiffman

Brief Type

Journal Publication

Model(s)

  • Early Head Start Home-Based Option

Description

Programs to promote children’s early development are based on a set of assumptions, explicit or implicit, about intended outcomes and how the program will effect change. The “theories of change” were examined in ten home-based programs in the Early Head Start Research and Evaluation Project (EHSREP), using data collected through multiple interviews with program staff. All home-based programs indicated that parenting outcomes were among their highest three priorities, while only 4 of 10 programs said that child outcomes were in their top priorities. The pattern of outcome differences between randomly-assigned program and control group participants reflected the programs’ theories of change in several ways. Early Head Start home-based programs showed positive impacts on 9 of 9 parenting outcomes, including parental supportiveness, home language and learning supports, emotional responsiveness, and family conflict when children were 24 months of age. Significant program impacts on child cognitive skills (Bayley MDI scores) and social behavior (observed child engagement of parent during play) were found when children were 36 months of age. Mediation analyses showed that the 54% of the program impact on 36-month child cognitive scores was mediated by 24-month program impacts on parental supportiveness, language and learning support, emotional responsiveness, and family conflict, and 47% of the program impact on 36-month child engagement of parent was mediated by 24-month impacts on parental supportiveness, language and cognitive stimulation, and emotional responsiveness. Results from mediation analyses were consistent with these home-based programs’ theories of change, supporting the efficacy of focusing on parent change as a mechanism for child outcomes in home visiting programs. (author abstract)

Data Collection Methods

  • Home Visit Observations
  • Interviews
  • Parent-child observations
  • Standardized assessment tools

Status

Finished

For More Information

Raikes, H. H., Roggman, L. A., Peterson, C. A., Brooks-Gunn, J., Chazan-Cohen, R., Zhang, X., & Schiffman, R. F. (2014). Theories of change and outcomes in home-based Early Head Start programs. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 29, 574–585.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecresq.2014.05.003
Author Contact Information:
Helen H. Raikes
hraikes2@unl.edu

Topics

  • Participant, Family, and Program Outcomes