Northside Partnership, a development organization dedicated to enhancing the well-being of individuals in north-east Dublin, has formulated a program known as Preparing for Life.
In 2007, the early intervention strategy, aimed at aiding parents in honing their skills and readying children for school, was initially implemented in Darndale. This comprehensive approach incorporates routine home visits and supplementary assistance such as prenatal education, breastfeeding support, and group sessions for parents.
Moreover, the initiative encompasses a variety of services including baby massage, proven parenting courses, and speech and language initiatives. Presently, eight additional Irish entities beyond Darndale offer the Preparing for Life program, including locations in Finglas, Balbriggan, Bray, Athy, Newbridge, Ballinasloe, Castlebar, and Bagenalstown.
The effectiveness of the program is underscored by its official recognition by the US Department of Health and Human Services for its distinctive parental support methodology. Inclusion in the Home Visiting Evidence of Effectiveness (HomVEE) list by the Department renders it the sole Irish endeavor of its kind eligible for federal and state funding in the US.
Professor Orla Doyle from UCD’s Geary Institute, which oversees the service and established its US credentials, likened the recognition to winning the World Cup. The HomVEE listing is anticipated to heighten global awareness and adoption of Preparing for Life.
The program’s eligibility to collaborate with local US organizations for federal and state funding was solidified following Professor Doyle’s engagement with Professor James Heckman, a Nobel Laureate in Economics at the University of Chicago. In 2021, the University’s Centre for the Economics of Human Development (CEHD) designated Preparing for Life as its preferred trial option in the US.
Subsequently, the CEHD partnered with Preparing for Life to introduce the program in a predominantly Spanish-speaking community in southside Chicago alongside Casa Central, a prominent community entity in the region.
Niall Sexton, the program manager for Preparing for Life, expressed gratitude towards the families in Darndale involved in the study, acknowledging their invaluable participation. Alison Baulos, the executive director of CEHD at the University of Chicago, commended Preparing for Life’s distinctive approach in supporting parents through coaching and mentoring, emphasizing the positive impact on family dynamics.
For those interested in availing of the service, inquiries can be directed to [email protected] or by calling 01 877-1509.