Developing a Procedure for Assisting Families with Early Childhood Referral Using Strategic, Community-Based Planning

• Main Author: Cadiz, Sharon M
• Format: Dissertation
• Language: English
• Published: 1991
• Subjects: Access to Information; At Risk Persons; Child Advocacy; Child Health; Community Services; Delivery Systems; Early Childhood Education; Family Health; Family Programs; Holistic Approach; Outreach Programs; Program Development; Questionnaires; Referral; Social Networks; Social Services; Young Children

The problem of families' limited access to community early childhood services and information was addressed in this practicum. Negative outcomes for young children and their families in a northeastern city were attributed to difficulties in locating and providing services for the developmental needs of children between birth and age 5. The children were at risk for (1) substandard care; (2) abuse, neglect, or heightened family stress; and (3) school failure. The practicum aimed to help families negotiate services through a community-based referral procedure that used a "warm line" format. A key feature of the procedure was the outreach method, which used informal kinship and friendship networks, formal networks, and conventional public service announcements. The pluralistic nature of the community demanded diverse, holistic strategies. Outreach, coordination, and human resource development were other features of the implementation. The results were positive. Difficult-to-reach families responded to the outreach, received information, and shared it in their informal networks. Planning efforts that represented community needs were initiated. Eighty requests were processed through the procedures, and steps toward advocacy were taken through an early childhood services network. Appendices contain advertisements of nanny and child care listings, a survey pertaining to family matters, a referral form and log, a form for a weekly journal, letters, responses to implementation, and other related materials. Contains about 100 references. (Author/LB)