Welcome
The PPN website is a unique resource that offers credible, research-based information on what works to improve the lives of children and families.
Sometimes referred to as a "best practices" site or a "model program" site, PPN is both of those things and much more. In addition to providing information on Programs that Work, PPN also links to additional research information in all areas related to child well-being, including their physical and mental health, academic success, and economic security. These additional resources include Research in Brief, Resources and Tools and Expert Perspectives. To promote successful implementation of best practices and model programs, PPN also screens and posts evidence-based information on effective Service Delivery.
In addition to the breadth of information PPN provides, visitors can rely on PPN to provide information that has met our high standards for scientific credibility, objectivity, and clarity. Learn about our process for reviewing information for inclusion on the site and how to submit a program for consideration.
January 2010 What's New
Follow-up evaluation of Head Start program finds that most gains in cognitive development fade out by first grade
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has released a follow-up to a 2005 study assessing gains made by approximately five thousand children randomly assigned to Head Start programs compared to children who did not attend Head Start programs. The 2005 study found that children made some progress on cognitive measures, particularly in pre-literacy skills. Kindergarten and first grade follow-up assessments, however, found that Head Start children's gains in these areas faded out, with the exception of small gains in vocabulary. These findings are particularly noteworthy based on the high profile that the Head Start program has in the Obama administration's efforts to promote early learning, particularly with regards to vulnerable children.
Read the news release at the Dept. of Health and Human Services website 
Read the excutive summary at the Dept. of Health and Human Services website
Teen methamphetamine use and cigarette smoking at lowest levels ever in 2009 Monitoring the Future survey
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse's 2009 Monitoring the Future survey, teens are smoking tobacco cigarettes at the lowest rates in the survey's 35-year history. Teen methamphetamine use is also at its lowest level since the question was introduced on the survey in 1999, and teens' perceptions of the harmfulness of certain illicit drugs, such as LSD, heroin and cocaine, has increased. However, teens are increasingly unlikely to view alcohol and marijuana as harmful, and this was associated with a small increase in marijuana utilization among eighth, tenth, and twelfth grade students. Also noteworthy is the continuing use of prescription drugs, such as the ADHD medication Adderall, for non-medical purposes. The vast majority of teens who reported using prescription drugs for non-medical purposes said that they got the drugs from a friend or relative.
Read the news release at the National Institutes of Health website
Children with special health care needs show increasing coverage under SCHIP
Despite recent expansions in the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), studies have shown that there are still children who are eligible for SCHIP benefits but remain uninsured. Children with special health care needs are a particularly vulnerable population, though a recent study in Pediatrics finds that the number of SCHIP-eligible children with special health care needs who are uninsured has dropped by half between 2000 and 2005, from over 21 percent to 10 percent. The study also examined the impact of state policies on uninsurance and determined that requiring an asset test at the time of enrollment was related to higher rates of uninsurance.
Read the journal abstract at the Pediatrics website
Over one-third of sex offenders are juveniles, according to National Incident-Based Reporting System
A bulletin from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, based on the National Incident-Based Reporting System, found that juveniles account for more than one-third of individuals known to police to have committed sex offenses against minors. This runs counter to a common perception that all sex offenders are adults. Juvenile sex offenders are much more likely than adult sex offenders to commit their crime in a group, and are more likely to commit the offense in a school setting. This bulletin highlights the need to focus sexual abuse prevention efforts on juvenile as well as adult populations.
Read the bulletin at the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention website
New policy forum video now available: Promising Practices Related to Child Care Quality
The Promising Practices Network (PPN), RAND Corporation, and Grantmakers for Children, Youth and Families (GCYF) recently hosted a special event featuring a panel of leading national experts discussing research evidence related to assessing the quality of child care. This policy forum, held on December 9, 2009 in Santa Monica, California and via Webinar, was designed to help decision makers and funders understand the latest research related to child care quality and the implications for policymakers. Audience members included leaders from the region as well as visiting guests from around the country. Video of this event is now available for viewing online.
See video of this event at the RAND Corporation website 
See PPN's Expert Perspectives feature on child care quality
PPN Newsletter
Read the PPN Newsletter for January 2010
The PPN email newsletter features regular content updates to the PPN website, such as new programs and research briefs that have been added.
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Awards and Honors
The PPN website has been recognized with the following awards and honors:
Innovations in American Government Awards, Harvard University Kennedy School of Government (Award Finalist 2006)
Child & Family WebGuide, Tufts University
Children NOW Web Award
Adding Wisdom Award, Parent to Parent
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