Addressing the Needs of Young Children and Families: Early Childhood Education and Services in Catholic Schools and Catholic Charities.

Nationally, focus is increasing on the developmental experiences of young children (birth to age 8). Twenty four (arch)dioceses in large metropolitan areas participated in a survey identifying the extent and nature of services provided by Catholic schools and Catholic Charities programs to young children and their families. Six hundred and seventy Catholic schools and 100 Catholic Charities programs completed surveys. Key findings suggest that Catholic schools and Catholic Charities programs are engaged in a plethora of early childhood services and educational activities with young children and families. Both entities provide direct education and services to young children, are engaged in supporting families through a variety of initiatives, and have complementary as well as distinctive approaches. Opportunities were identified within Catholic Schools and within Catholic Charities programs. The potential benefits of increasing collaborations between Catholic schools and Catholic Charities programs, and with others, were highlighted to comprehensively meet the varied (and, at times, extensive) needs of young children and families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]