Purpose: This project designed, implemented, and evaluated a multi-pronged intervention to support children to have the social and emotional skills they need to make the difficult shift from preschool to kindergarten. The primary project components are: (1) providing organizational capacity development to Head Start programs to enhance their capacity to implement effective early childhood mental health and transition services; and (2) implementing a family-driven, team-based approach to supporting successful transitions for children with emotional and behavioral challenges.
Project Design: Design, implement, and evaluate the intervention into Head Start sites using quantitative pre/post surveys and in-depth qualitative interviews with Head Start staff, Head Start parents, and kindergarten teachers.
Funding Source: National Institute for Disabilities and Rehabilitation Research
Start Date: October 2004
Project Team
Evaluation Director
Beth Green, Ph.D. (Collaborative project with Portland State University’s Research & Training Center for Family Support and Children’s Mental Health, Barbara Friesen, PI)
Project Director
Reports and Publications:
Green, B. L., Malsch, A. M., Hood-Kothari, B., Busse, J., & Brennan, E. (2012) An intervention to increase early childhood staff capacity for promoting children’s social-emotional development in preschool settings Early Childhood Education Journal, 40(2), 123-132.
Green, B. L., Everhart, M., Gordon, L., & Gettman, M. G. (Dec. 2006)
Characteristics of Effective Mental Health Consultation in Early Childhood Settings: Multilevel Analysis of a National Survey
Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 26(3), 142-152.
Full Article /
Green, B. L., Everhart, M., Gordon, L., & Friesen, B. (March 2004)
Management Strategies for Positive Mental Health Outcomes: What Early Childhood Administrators Need to Know
Region X HSA, Portland State University
Powerpoint /
Green, B. L. (June 2003)
Effective Models for Mental Health Consultation in Early Childhood Settings
NPC Research: Portland, OR.
Powerpoint /