ACTION RESEARCH

The work of First Steps is based on our own research and that of many others. Here are some valuable links to important research on early childhood development and the need to invest in our youngest children and their families.

Annie E. Casey Foundation
Since 1948, the Annie E. Casey Foundation (AECF) has worked to build better futures for disadvantaged children and their families in the United States. The primary mission of the Foundation is to foster public policies, human service reforms, and community supports that more effectively meet the needs of today’s vulnerable children and families.

The Build Initiative
The Build Initiative is a multi-state partnership whose mission is to help each state build a coordinated system of programs, policies and services that respond to the needs of families, carefully use public and private resources and effectively prepare young children for a successful future.

The Center for Law and Social Policy
The Missed Opportunities: The Possibilities and Challenges of Funding High Quality Preschool through Title I of the No Child Left Behind Act: Full Report (PDF) gives an overview of the available data on the use of Title I funds for preschool. Examples of how some states and communities have used Title I funds for preschool programs are given.

Child Trends
Child Trends is a nonprofit, nonpartisan research organization that studies children, youth, and families through research, data collection, and data analysis.

The David and Lucile Packard Foundation
This foundation provides grants to nonprofit organizations in the following program areas: Conservation; Population; Science; Children, Families, and Communities; Arts; and Organizational Effectiveness and Philanthropy. The Foundation provides national and international grants, and has a special focus on Northern California.

Harvard Family Research
The Harvard Family Research Project has helped develop strategies to promote the educational and social success and well-being of children, families and their communities.

High/Scope Educational Research Foundation
High/Scope Educational Research Foundation is an independent nonprofit research, development, training, and public advocacy organization with headquarters in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Here you will find long-term effects of the Perry Preschool Project including results from the 40 year study of the community benefits of high quality early education.

I Am Your Child
I Am Your Child is a national public awareness and engagement campaign to make early childhood development a top priority for our nation. I Am Your Child has educated millions of parents and professionals about the new discoveries in brain development and the critical importance of the first three years of life.

Institute for Research on Poverty
The Institute for Research on Poverty (IRP) is a national, university-based center for research into the causes and consequences of poverty and social inequality in the United States.

Michigan’s Children
Michigan’s Children is a statewide, independent voice for children and their families. It works with lawmakers, business leaders and communities to make Michigan a place where all children have the opportunity to thrive.

MIT Workplace Center
The Center aims to develop theories and practices that further a mutually supportive relationship between the performance of firms and the well-being of their employees, their families and communities. A recent report with Legal Momentum’s Family Initiative illustrates the return on investment of early education.

National Association for the Education of Young Children
The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) is the nation’s largest and most influential organization of early childhood educators and others dedicated to improving the quality of programs for children from birth through third grade.

National Council on Family Relations
The National Council on Family Relations (NCFR) provides a forum for family researchers, educators and practitioners to share in the development and dissemination of knowledge about families and family relationships, establishes professional standards, and works to promote family well-being.

National Economic Development and Law Center
The National Economic Development and Law Center has undertaken an analysis of early care and education in states, including Minnesota, to demonstrate the importance of the early care industry.

National Institute for Early Education Research
The Institute supports early childhood education initiatives by providing objective, nonpartisan information based on research. A recent video shows how investing in preschool programs reduces social service expenditures long term.

The Ounce of Prevention Fund
The Ounce of Prevention Fund of Chicago invests in the healthy development of at-risk infants, toddlers and preschool children. It uses an innovative cycle of family-focused programs, research, training, policy analysis and advocacy to help young children succeed in school and throughout life.

Zero to Three
Zero to Three is a national, nonprofit organization located in Washington, D.C., dedicated solely to advancing the healthy development of babies and young children. Founded in 1977 by top developmental experts, Zero to Three disseminates key developmental information, trains providers, promotes model approaches and standards of practice, and works to increase public awareness about the significance of the first three years of life.