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Sixpence parent-education staff report 80% retention and positive family outcomes
Summary
Sixpence parent educators described program services for expectant parents and families with children 0–3, reporting an 80% retention rate, positive family-survey results and a plan to continue outreach and bilingual materials.
Two Sixpence parent educators gave the board an overview of the district’s Sixpence early‑childhood parent-education program and shared outcome data.
At the May 29 Committee of the Whole meeting, Megan Bailey and Kelly Matheson described Sixpence’s model: voluntary, home‑based early childhood education and parent coaching for families from pregnancy through age 3 (or up to age 4 until preschool enrollment). Staff said the program prioritizes teen parents, first-time parents and families involved with social services but serves a broader caseload as capacity allows. They meet with families typically once weekly with a minimum expectation of three visits per month and use household items for developmentally targeted activities.
Program staff reported an 80% retention rate among enrolled families and survey results showing strong family satisfaction: 94% of families agreed Sixpence taught them about child development and encouraged reading and talking with their child; the family literacy survey showed 59% read daily and 100% read to their child at least three times weekly. Staff also reported that 73% of families have three or more stressors; the top reported stressors included reduced‑price/free lunch (97%), parental mental‑health diagnosis (88%), single‑parent households (53%) and referral to the early developmental network (53%).
Sixpence staff described training and services they now offer, including infant massage instruction, car‑seat safety certification and doula training to counsel prenatal families on labor and delivery choices. They said doula training has helped them support prenatal teens and families with complex needs and that they can accompany families to hospital births if requested, though that has not yet occurred.
Board members asked about capacity and language access. Presenters said the program currently has room to expand (a reported waitlist of about four families) and that Sixpence purchased Spanish-language children’s books to support families with Spanish as a second language. The presenters described referral pathways from courts, HHS and community partners and said increased local awareness had expanded referrals.
Staff requested board support for outreach and noted Sixpence’s primary funding derives from a statewide investment pool (revenue from an endowed funding source rather than a typical state or federal grant).
