Project Descriptions: NICHD study of child care and youth development

Safe Haven Program Evaluation


Investigators: Kim Pierce, Deborah Lowe Vandell
Funding: City of Madison (Wisconsin) Office of Community Services 

Description 
Reports 
Presentation 

Description 

The Safe Haven Program Evaluation was a 4-year examination of the Safe Haven after-school programs in Madison, Wisconsin. The City of Madison Office of Community Services and the Madison Metropolitan School District developed the programs so that beneficial after-school experiences could be provided to children who were at risk for academic and social difficulties. Specific objectives of the programs included enhancing children's cognitive skills, teaching conflict resolution strategies to children, and helping children learn how to interact positively and effectively in groups.

In general, we found that children who attended the programs for more days during the school year experienced positive changes in teacher ratings of their work habits at school and their ability to work well with others in the classroom. Greater program dosage also was associated with children being less likely to endorse relational aggression for managing peer conflicts, and with less self-reported misconduct. 

Additional information about the results of this evaluation can be obtained by clicking on the links in the Reportssection below. 

Reports 

Vandell, D. L., & Pierce, K. (1996). Safe Haven program evaluation (1994-95). Report to the City of Madison, WI and the Madison Metropolitan School District.  [PDF full text] 

Vandell, D. L., & Pierce, K. (1997). Safe Haven program evaluation (1995-96). Report to the City of Madison, WI and the Madison Metropolitan School District.  [PDF full text] 

Pierce, K., & Vandell, D. L. (1997). Safe Haven program evaluation (1996-97). Report to the City of Madison, WI and the Madison Metropolitan School District.  [PDF full text] 

Pierce, K., & Vandell, D. L. (1999). Safe Haven program evaluation (1997-98). Report to the City of Madison, WI and the Madison Metropolitan School District.  [PDF full text]


Presentation 

Vandell, D. L., & Pierce, K. M. (1999, April). Can after-school programs benefit children who live in high-crime neighborhoods? In N. Marshall (Chair), Children’s out-of-school time: The next generation of research. Symposium conducted at the biennial meeting of the Society for Research in Child Development, Albuquerque, NM.  [PDF Paper] 

 

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