The Carroll County Local Management Board has long been focusing attention on school readiness and in 2007 established a county-wide, inter-agency Parents-as-Teachers (PAT) Initiative. In 2008 mental health consultation and training were fully integrated into PAT. In 2013, 96% of Carroll County kindergartners were fully ready for school. Beginning in 2014, focus was directed on subgroups that did not achieve 90% or more, low income, children with disabilities and English-language learners.

Parents-as-Teachers

Brief Strategic Family Therapy

A child's experiences in the initial years of life heavily influence growth, development, school and work achievement. Social-emotional skills including communication, cooperation and cognitive skills are the basis for school readiness. Factors that influence a child's skill development are profoundly influenced by their relationship with parents and primary caregivers. These relationships can protect a child from harm, or place a child at risk for harm. Since the parent-child relationship is crucial for healthy development, it makes sense to support parents as their child's first teacher. Implementing Parents-as-Teachers is a major strategy for promoting school readiness in Carroll County.