Historically, departments of education have worked with young children and their families when they reach the eligible ages for public school services. These early years are critical for healthy human development. More recently, schools have recognized the full range of needs of many families by linking to existing services provided through many health and human service organizations at the local level. Departments of education at the state level are building bridges to other agencies and have encouraged more of the federal legislation to enable the local community schools and agencies to address these issues. In many cases, schools are the most stable environments for many children.
Educational programs are a sound investment from both a fiscal and human capital perspective.
We can nurture prevention and reduce our long standing practices of remediation.