Are characteristics of the family services workers associated with child and family outcomes?
This research activity was initiated with a literature search and qualitative data from three focus groups of Head Start family services workers. Several themes emerged as important factors in relation to the family service worker and instruments to assess these factors have been identified and field-tested. In addition, 18 family risk variables from the Parent Interview data have been identified and will be used to examine the relationship between family risk levels and family service worker loads and contact hours. Papers reporting these research findings are being presented at the American Educational Research Association Conferences, the National Head Start Association Annual Conference, the National Association for the Education of Young Children Annual Conference, and Head Start’s National Research Conference. GSU’s Head Start partners will be helpful in making the dissemination efforts both relevant and useful to Head Start audiences. High/Scope Quality Research Center The High/
