Featured Sites
Child Trends
Child Trends (http://www.childtrends.org) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan research organization dedicated to improving the lives of children by conducting research and providing science-based information to improve the decisions, programs, and policies that affect children and their families. This site is an excellent source for fact sheets, publications and recent research on many issues related to children and families.
In July 2004, Child Trends published an interesting research brief about the patterns of grandparent's involvement in care for their garndchildren. Specifically, this brief discusses the prevalence of grand parents providing day care for such children. To download the brief, click here: Grandma and Grandpa Taking Care of the Kids: Patterns of Involvement.
Harvard Family Research Project
The Harvard Family Research Project (http://gseweb.harvard.edu/~hfrp/), based at Harvard University's School of Education, works to strengthen family, school, and community partnerships related to parental supports, early child care and education, and program evaluation. The HFRP produces an evaluation periodical, Evaluation Exchange, which addresses current issues facing program evaluators and is designed to promote an ongoing discussion among evaluators, program practitioners, funders, and policymakers.
The Evaluation Exchange highlights innovative methods and approaches to evaluation, emerging trends in evaluation practice, and practical applications of evaluation theory. It is produced 3-4 times per year, free of charge if you complete a simple subscription form.
To obtain subscription information or download the latest issue of Evaluation Exchange on evaluating early childhood programs, click here: The Evaluation Exchange , Volume X, No. 2, Summer 2004 - of particular note are the articles on Evaluation Strategies (page 24), Promoting Family Literacy (page 29), Early Head Start (page 22), and Home Visiting (page 19).