University/Community Partnership to Support Low-Income Immigrant Families: A Shared Responsibility Model for Early Childhood Education Settings

Abstract

The Preschool Family Support Initiative is a collaboration among low-income immigrant families, their neighborhood preschool, community agencies and organizations, and University faculty and students. It was designed to create a network of support for preschool children's early learning and development. The Initiative developed in the context of an on-going University/community partnership called the Urban Alternative. This article describes the framework of partnership within which the collaboration developed, the processes involved, and the impact of this collaborative effort from the perspectives of the participants.