Health Access Nurturing Development Services (HANDS)
meets criteria from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as an evidence-based model
Kentucky’s home visitation program serves pregnant mothers and their newborns until children reach three years old. In 2015, Health Access Nurturing Development Services (HANDS) met criteria from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as an evidence-based model.
90%
of 3-year-olds
enrolled in the Early Steps program exceed vocabulary standards
85%
of 5-year-olds
enrolled in the Early Steps program exceed vocabulary standards
In Eastern Kentucky, 90% of 3-year-olds and 85% of 5-year-olds enrolled in the Early Steps program exceed vocabulary standards.
Children who completed four or more
Ages and Stages Questionnaires® were6xmore likely to be
ready for kindergarten compared to those who completed only one
In Louisville, children who completed four or more Ages and Stages Questionnaire®, a developmental screener, were nearly six times more likely to be ready for kindergarten than those who completed only one, controlling for demographic characteristics and developmental level (OR=5.70, p=0.06).
It is important to note that this finding approached statistical significance at the p<0.06 level. Given the relatively small comparison and intervention sample (n=31 and n=63, respectively), these findings should be interpreted with caution. A larger sample size is needed to confirm these results.
86%of children entered
kindergarten prepared
after participating in the Dolly Parton Imagination Libraryof the 52% of children identified as participants
Nearly 30% of Kentucky’s Community Early Childhood Councils invest in the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. A Shelby County, Tennessee study shows that participation significantly is associated with increased scores in skill areas like language and math development.2 In Wayne County, Kentucky, of the 52% of children identified as participants in the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, 86% entered kindergarten prepared according to Wayne County Public Schools.
2 Beckett, J. (n.d.). An investigation of the relationship between the Imagination Library program and kindergarten literacy.
53,000children
were eligible
for Public Pre-K and/or Head Startan additional 19,000 eligible children could have been enrolled
Across Kentucky, income-eligible preschool students significantly were more likely to be kindergarten ready. Head Start Students, on average, outscored eligible students who were not enrolled. During Academic Year 2018, 53,000 children were eligible for Public Pre-K and/or Head Start and an additional 19,000 eligible children could have been enrolled.
60%of children were
better prepared entering schools using best practice transition strategiescompared to the state average of 51.1% and county average of 54%
In Northern Kentucky, 60% of children who entered school where they used best practice transition strategies were better prepared compared to the state average of 51.1% and county average of 54% (Boone 56.2%, Campbell 54.6, and Kenton 52.2%).
2017
63%of children entered
kindergarten prepared
compared to 50% of the state and 44.8% in the district
2018
81%of children entered
kindergarten prepared
compared to 51% of the state and 45.6% in the district
In Southeastern Kentucky, Public Pre-K collaborated with private child care to coordinate and strengthen services for families. Data indicates that children who participate in Public Pre-K half-day and the extended-day private child care for the other part of the day are better prepared for kindergarten. In 2017, data show 63% of children entered kindergarten prepared compared to 50% of the state and 44.8% in the district.
In 2018, data shows 81% of children entered kindergarten prepared compared to 51% of the state and 45.6% in the district.
53.4%of students entered
school prepared
after attending the United Way Born Learning Academycompared to 46.6% that did not attend
The United Way Born Learning Academy is a series of school-based parent workshops that engage expectant parents and families with young children to support early learning and school readiness. Developed in Northern Kentucky, it has been replicated throughout the commonwealth and adopted nationally by United Way Worldwide to increase school readiness. Kindergarten Readiness results during 2015-16 and 2020-21 show that of the nearly 500 children who participated, 53.4% entered school prepared compared to 46.6% of students who did not participate.