Kin as Teachers (KAT)
Topic Areas
Topic Areas
Child Welfare System Relevance Level
High
Target Population
Relative caregivers raising children from birth to kindergarten entry
Target Population
Relative caregivers raising children from birth to kindergarten entry
Program Overview
KAT is a modification of the Parents as Teachers program designed to meet the special needs of relative caregivers raising children from birth to kindergarten entry. The KAT program addresses the following areas:
- Parent knowledge and parenting practices
- Detection of developmental delays and health issues
- Prevention of child abuse and neglect
- Promotion of school readiness and success
The KAT program establishes a two-year time limit for delivery of services, due to a waiting list, and it utilizes case management services rather than resource networking. The program was created specifically to address the needs of vulnerable young children in kinship families who often need extra support and special services.
Program Overview
KAT is a modification of the Parents as Teachers program designed to meet the special needs of relative caregivers raising children from birth to kindergarten entry. The KAT program addresses the following areas:
- Parent knowledge and parenting practices
- Detection of developmental delays and health issues
- Prevention of child abuse and neglect
- Promotion of school readiness and success
The KAT program establishes a two-year time limit for delivery of services, due to a waiting list, and it utilizes case management services rather than resource networking. The program was created specifically to address the needs of vulnerable young children in kinship families who often need extra support and special services.
Contact Information
Kerry Littlewood
- Email: aajresearch@gmail.com
Contact Information
Kerry Littlewood
- Email: aajresearch@gmail.com
Manuals and Training
Manual Information
There is a manual that describes how to deliver this program.
Manuals and Training
Manual Information
There is a manual that describes how to deliver this program.
Relevant Published, Peer-Reviewed Research
“What is included in the Relevant Published, Peer-Reviewed Research section?”
-
Note: The following study was not included in rating Kin as Teachers on the Scientific Rating Scale.
Littlewood, K. A., Strozier, A. L., & Whittington, D. (2014). Kin as Teachers: An early childhood education and support intervention for kinship families. Children and Youth Services Review, 38, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2013.11.026
Summary:
The purpose of the study was to test if the Kinship as Teachers (KAT) Program [now called Kin as Teachers (KAT)] improves kinship caregivers’ knowledge of child development and age-appropriate family environment for caregivers caring for children. Measures utilized include the Florida Kinship Center Demographic Survey, the Home Observation for Measurement of the Environment (HOME) Inventory, and the Kin Knowledge Questionnaire (KKQ). Results indicate that age-appropriate family environment improved and there was an increase in caregivers’ knowledge of child development for families participating in KAT. Limitations include the small sample size, lack of randomization, lack of control group, and lack of follow-up.
Relevant Published, Peer-Reviewed Research
“What is included in the Relevant Published, Peer-Reviewed Research section?”
-
Note: The following study was not included in rating Kin as Teachers on the Scientific Rating Scale.
Littlewood, K. A., Strozier, A. L., & Whittington, D. (2014). Kin as Teachers: An early childhood education and support intervention for kinship families. Children and Youth Services Review, 38, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2013.11.026
Summary:
The purpose of the study was to test if the Kinship as Teachers (KAT) Program [now called Kin as Teachers (KAT)] improves kinship caregivers’ knowledge of child development and age-appropriate family environment for caregivers caring for children. Measures utilized include the Florida Kinship Center Demographic Survey, the Home Observation for Measurement of the Environment (HOME) Inventory, and the Kin Knowledge Questionnaire (KKQ). Results indicate that age-appropriate family environment improved and there was an increase in caregivers’ knowledge of child development for families participating in KAT. Limitations include the small sample size, lack of randomization, lack of control group, and lack of follow-up.
Additional References
There are currently no references available for Kin as Teachers.
Additional References
There are currently no references available for Kin as Teachers.
Topic Areas
Child Welfare System Relevance Level
High
Topic Areas
Child Welfare System Relevance Level
High
Target Population
Relative caregivers raising children from birth to kindergarten entry
Target Population
Relative caregivers raising children from birth to kindergarten entry
Program Overview
KAT is a modification of the Parents as Teachers program designed to meet the special needs of relative caregivers raising children from birth to kindergarten entry. The KAT program addresses the following areas:
- Parent knowledge and parenting practices
- Detection of developmental delays and health issues
- Prevention of child abuse and neglect
- Promotion of school readiness and success
The KAT program establishes a two-year time limit for delivery of services, due to a waiting list, and it utilizes case management services rather than resource networking. The program was created specifically to address the needs of vulnerable young children in kinship families who often need extra support and special services.
Program Overview
KAT is a modification of the Parents as Teachers program designed to meet the special needs of relative caregivers raising children from birth to kindergarten entry. The KAT program addresses the following areas:
- Parent knowledge and parenting practices
- Detection of developmental delays and health issues
- Prevention of child abuse and neglect
- Promotion of school readiness and success
The KAT program establishes a two-year time limit for delivery of services, due to a waiting list, and it utilizes case management services rather than resource networking. The program was created specifically to address the needs of vulnerable young children in kinship families who often need extra support and special services.
Contact Information
Kerry Littlewood
- Email: aajresearch@gmail.com
Contact Information
Kerry Littlewood
- Email: aajresearch@gmail.com
Manuals and Training
Manual Information
There is a manual that describes how to deliver this program.
Manuals and Training
Manual Information
There is a manual that describes how to deliver this program.
Relevant Published, Peer-Reviewed Research
“What is included in the Relevant Published, Peer-Reviewed Research section?”
-
Note: The following study was not included in rating Kin as Teachers on the Scientific Rating Scale.
Littlewood, K. A., Strozier, A. L., & Whittington, D. (2014). Kin as Teachers: An early childhood education and support intervention for kinship families. Children and Youth Services Review, 38, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2013.11.026
Summary:
The purpose of the study was to test if the Kinship as Teachers (KAT) Program [now called Kin as Teachers (KAT)] improves kinship caregivers’ knowledge of child development and age-appropriate family environment for caregivers caring for children. Measures utilized include the Florida Kinship Center Demographic Survey, the Home Observation for Measurement of the Environment (HOME) Inventory, and the Kin Knowledge Questionnaire (KKQ). Results indicate that age-appropriate family environment improved and there was an increase in caregivers’ knowledge of child development for families participating in KAT. Limitations include the small sample size, lack of randomization, lack of control group, and lack of follow-up.
Relevant Published, Peer-Reviewed Research
“What is included in the Relevant Published, Peer-Reviewed Research section?”
-
Note: The following study was not included in rating Kin as Teachers on the Scientific Rating Scale.
Littlewood, K. A., Strozier, A. L., & Whittington, D. (2014). Kin as Teachers: An early childhood education and support intervention for kinship families. Children and Youth Services Review, 38, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2013.11.026
Summary:
The purpose of the study was to test if the Kinship as Teachers (KAT) Program [now called Kin as Teachers (KAT)] improves kinship caregivers’ knowledge of child development and age-appropriate family environment for caregivers caring for children. Measures utilized include the Florida Kinship Center Demographic Survey, the Home Observation for Measurement of the Environment (HOME) Inventory, and the Kin Knowledge Questionnaire (KKQ). Results indicate that age-appropriate family environment improved and there was an increase in caregivers’ knowledge of child development for families participating in KAT. Limitations include the small sample size, lack of randomization, lack of control group, and lack of follow-up.
Additional References
There are currently no references available for Kin as Teachers.
Additional References
There are currently no references available for Kin as Teachers.
Date CEBC Staff Last Reviewed Research: June 2025
Date Program's Staff Last Reviewed Content: January 2025
Date Originally Loaded onto CEBC: March 2017