What services do children and youth need to become self-sufficient as adults?
Programs such as Head Start and universal pre-kindergarten have demonstrated the role that quality early childhood care and education can play in future academic achievement and subsequent outcomes, particularly for low-income children. As a result, many states are expanding their support for a wide variety of early childhood programs. (Visit http://www.welfareinfo.org/childhoodpovwelfref.htm for examples of state programs.) However, there are many environmental and familial factors that may counteract the positive long-term impact of these programs. In particular, children and youth who grow up in poverty often live in situations characterized by family instability that may stem from substance abuse, health and mental health issues, inadequate housing, single-parenthood, domestic violence, etc. The most effective programs for disadvantaged children, therefore, need to be multi-faceted in nature and should provide a range of health, mental health, academic and social services beginning
