Encouraging Positive Parenting in Early Childhood: Lessons From a Community Change Initiative

This report examines efforts to improve parenting practices in Trenton, NJ as a part of a larger initiative called Children's Futures (CF).  

Although the initiative proved successful on a number of other fronts, it was not able to produce measurable changes in parenting practices citywide. This report suggests potential reasons why, examining CF programming and instructional strategies, participation levels, and psychological factors that have been linked to parenting practices in past research. The report draws on these findings to offer important lessons for those who are funding, implementing or evaluating programs for parents of young children, as well as broader community change initiatives. 

CF was launched in 2002 with the goals of enhancing the health and well-being of children, from birth to three years old, and ensuring their readiness to enter school. 

Click the link below to learn more about the report, the CF initiative, and to download the research.