This section examines what is happening within a given group through survey research, correlation research, or longitudinal studies.
The Head Start Family and Child Experiences Survey (FACES) provides longitudinal data on the characteristics, experiences, and outcomes of Head Start children and families as well as the characteristics of the Head Start programs that serve them. Four cohorts of FACES have been fielded to date—FACES 1997, 2000, 2003 and 2006. Each cohort has included a nationally representative sample of Head Start children and their families. FACES Project is funded from 1997–2010, and the point of contact is Maria Woolverton: maria.woolverton@acf.hhs.gov
“Friendly FACES” is a user-friendly overview of findings from the Head Start Family and Child Experiences Survey (FACES) study which collects data on a nationally representative sample of Head Start programs, classrooms, teachers, parents, and children examining the quality and effects of Head Start. PDF Download [612 KB]
FACES 2006 was the fourth national cohort that began in fall of 2006 with nationally representative cohorts of 3– to 4-year-old children in 60 Head Start programs. Read more »
The third national cohort began in fall of 2003 with a nationally representative sample of approximately 2,400 3– to 4-year-old children and their families from 63 different Head Start programs. Read more »
A second national cohort of FACES was launched in 2000 with a nationally representative sample of 2,800 children and their families from 43 Head Start programs across the nation. Read more »
The first FACES survey is a longitudinal study that assessed parents and children between the spring of 1997 and 2001 and included field tests, assessment of Head Start graduates, interviews and parent ratings, embedded case studies, and ratings by kindergarten teachers.
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The findings in this 1997 survey include demographic data of fathers, effects of having or not having a father in the family on fathers’ reported activities with the child, and the effects of having or not having a father on child and family. PDF Download [158 KB]
Archived data available at http://www.researchconnections.org/
This survey focused on manangement and services, as well as on the families served. Findings provide key information designed to help policymakers and training and technical assistance providers.
the abstract
The survey of Early Head Start Programs focused on management and services, as well as on the families served. Findings provide key information designed to help policymakers and training and technical assistance providers. The research objectives included:
The study consisted of two components, a survey of all Early Head Start programs and in-depth site visits to 17 programs.
This study provides descriptive information about Early Head Start (EHS) services offered; identifies the key characteristics of families currently served in EHS; investigates how programs individualize services to meet family needs; examines how EHS children and families are faring over time; and explores the associations between the type and quality of EHS services and child and family well-being.
Baby FACES is funded from 2007–2012. The point of contact is Rachel Chazen Cohen: rachel.cohen@acf.hhs.gov
the abstract
The Early Head Start Family and Child Experiences Study (Baby FACES) 2007–2012. (In Progress). Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
The Early Head Start Family and Child Experiences Study (Baby FACES) continues a series of ongoing descriptive studies aimed at maintaining an up-to-date, extensive knowledge base to support Early Head Start policies and programs. Building on the findings from the Survey of Early Head Start Programs, and similar in design to the Head Start Family and Child Experiences Survey (FACES), Baby FACES has five main goals:
The study will employ a longitudinal cohort design that identifies a representative sample of 90 Early Head Start programs in 2008 and two cohorts of families in each program: (1) a perinatal group, and (2) a group of infants about 1 year old. Data will be collected annually, in the spring, until the sample children reach 3 years of age, with a supplemental interview about transition activities with some parents when the children are 3 ½. The study has a wide group of experts in Early Head Start and early childhood development serving as consultants.
This section contains summaries, abstracts, and links to current and former project reports for research studies funded by the Administration for Children and Families through the Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation.
This section includes research conducted to determine the effectiveness of Head Start and Early Head Start.
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This section includes research which seeks to determine the effectiveness of an intervention or program enhancement, the implementation of an initiative focused on a specific topic, and studies of new ideas for improving practice.
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These studies include descriptive studies and/or evaluations that focus on a specific population of interest, such as English Language Learners.
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The nature of these projects is to build the knowledge and capacity in research on topics specifically related to Head Start and Early Head Start.
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Research Synthesis and Dissemination Projects include reviews of large amounts of literature and provide conclusions about the state of knowledge in specific areas.
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Administration for Children and Families
Office of Head Start (OHS)
8th Floor Portal Building
Washington, DC 20024
Department of Health
and Human Services
