An evaluation of a community-based primary prevention program

The present study is a utilization-focused evaluation of a preschool playgroup which is part of a community-based early prevention program, the Better Beginnings Better Futures (BBBF) project, located in a low-income, highly diverse community. A one group pre-test, post-test design was conducted over a six month period. Standardized measures were used to assess the children's developmental gains. Multiple methodological approaches were used to assess the quality of the environment due to the challenge of using traditional full-day daycare scales on a non-traditional half-day program. The parents' and teachers' perceptions of the program were assessed using focus groups. Results show that the children had statistically significant developmental gains over the course of the program. The environmental measures show the benefits of the program as well as areas for improvement. The current results were compared to BBBF research completed in 1998, the current children scored significantly higher on the same developmental assessment tool and the current environment scored higher than in the past. Overall results show that this community-based program develops collective efficacy within the community through the use of paraprofessionals. As well, the quality of an environment can be assessed using multiple lenses.