Parents Connect Program Evaluation

The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) protects and promotes the health of eight million New Yorkers through evidence-based programs and services. The work of the Early Childhood Health and Development Unit includes programs, policies, resources, and research to support the holistic and equitable physical, cognitive, and social emotional growth and development of young children throughout New York City. The unit furthers these aims through its Parents Connect program, which entails a series of neighborhood-based, facilitated discussions that provide an opportunity for parents and caregivers to connect and learn about early childhood health and development programs, information, and resources. DOHMH engaged a Capstone team to evaluate the programmatic impacts of Parents Connect. The team surveyed program participants to identify successes, challenges, and areas for improvement; coded and analyzed the survey data; and conducted a related literature review. The team included its findings and recommendations in a program evaluation report that it presented to DOHMH leadership.