BOX 4-2Parents as Teachers (PAT)
PAT serves families from pregnancy through kindergarten entry. Services include one-on-one visits by parent educators, group hands-on learning activities, health and developmental screenings for children, and a resource network. Programs offer families a minimum of 12 home visits annually and are required to provide services for at least 2 years. The goals of PAT include increased parental knowledge of child development, early detection of developmental and health-related issues, prevention of child abuse and neglect, and improved school readiness. Target populations and program duration are identified by program sites.
Between 1979 and 2011, 60 studies of PAT were conducted, 23 of which were eligible for review through HomVEE (2 rated PAT high, and the rest rated PAT moderate or low or overlapped with another study and were not rated). Evidence showed small and inconsistent overall positive effects on parents' knowledge, attitudes, and behavior; no overall improvement in child development or health; and significant improvement in cognitive, communication, social, and self-help development for children in Spanish-speaking households. PAT services have been found to provide the greatest benefit to those also receiving case management services.
