The program recognized parents as experts and encouraged parent child activities and the social exchange of informal resources. The program, conducted in 10 urban neighbourhoods, included a home-visiting component and cluster groups that connected families with their neighbourhoods and helped them to socialize and to find common solutions. Child care was provided. 3.2.3 Schools that Create Health Schools play a critical role in the life of a child. In addition, teachers and other school personnel can have an important buffering effect for children from environments that are less supportive of their development.
Schools can make a difference.
Examples of successful school interventions include improved teacher pupil communication, engaging instructional styles and student monitoring and feedback.52 School interventions must be sensitive to local needs and the interests of the community. They are more likely to be successful if they ensure ownership through the involvement of all actors in decision making. The interventions must reflect a multidisciplinary approach and be based on a collaborative partnership among students, parents, educators and the community. The Comer Project aimed to change the school system, focused on prevention, used a participatory approach and recognized the interrelationship between academic outcomes and behavioural, emotional and social functioning. It targeted dysfunctional elements of the school environment.