Parent-Child Home Program (PCH)

The Parent-Child Home Program (PCHP) is one of the most intensive home visiting programs in the country. Twice weekly home visits provide new books and educational toys to families with pre-school children. Guidance is given on how to use these items effectively with their children to promote verbal interaction.

2009-2010 Program Outcomes

  • More than 1,900 home visits have been conducted with 90 families.
  • More than 980 books and educational toys have been distributed.
  • 95% of families increased positive verbal interaction.
  • 95%of children increased positive behaviors.
    Reading and math scores of Parent-Child Home Program graduates are above national norms in elementary school.
  • Children who complete the program graduate from high school at rates significantly higher than similarly situated children who did not participate in the program.
  • The increase in Parent-Child Home Program parents' verbal responsiveness continues into children's school years. Parents' verbal responsiveness to their children correlates with children's scores in reading, math, task orientation, self-confidence, social responsibility and cognitive skills.

PROGRAM IMPACT

Yolanda Filsaime’s two-year-old son, Jayden, was referred to the Parent-Child Home Program (PCHP) through the Healthy Beginnings System. At first, Yolanda was hesitant to participate in the program as she was quite shy and unsure of having a program take place inside her home two times a week. With a lot of encouragement from the program’s Site Coordinator, Yolanda began the home sessions.

Jayden became very excited about the upcoming visits from his Home Visitor and what book or toy she would be bringing him. Yolanda began noticing her son’s improvement in language and love for books. She says that not long after the program began, Jayden came to her with one of the PCHP books and asked her to read to him. Yolanda told her son she was so tired and just wanted to watch television. Jayden took the television’s remote control, turned it off and then sat in his mom’s lap with the opened book. Yolanda was touched by this moment that made a profound and lasting impact. This is the essence of the Parent-Child Home Program.

 

The Parent-Child Home Program is coordinated by the Literacy Coalition of Palm Beach County through the sponsorship of Children's Services Council and in partnership with:

  • ASPIRA of Florida, Inc.
  • The Guatemalan-Maya Center, Inc.
  • Minority Development & Empowerment Inc.
  • NOAH, Inc.
  • Sickle Cell Foundation of Palm Beach County and Treasure Coast, Inc.

    Open positions for Parent-Child Home Program Site Coordinators and Home Visitors are available at some of the agencies listed above. For more information, contact Cobi Dunn, Parent-Child Home Program Director at 561-279-9103.