For too many New York City children, the absence of informed parents, inadequate health care and poor preparation for school hampers their development, putting them years behind their peers before they even begin the first grade. The families we serve, often led by teenagers or young adults, live under severe stress — with little income or education, in substandard housing and with histories of substance abuse, domestic violence, depression or other mental illness. The children of these families are at high risk of child abuse and neglect.

The literature makes the case that early-childhood interventions have deep impact, but only if the interventions are intense and sustained. Our programs offer remarkable records of success — all but eliminating abuse, neglect and avoidable foster-care placement among the thousands of children we serve. The early-childhood programs are grouped into two categories: parenting education and child early intervention. Parenting-education programs help parents help their children to develop on schedule. Child early intervention serves needy children directly by preventing or overcoming developmental delays.

Youth programs are also grouped into two categories: juvenile justice and foster care. All youth programs provide counseling, education, medical and other services to at-risk children and adolescents. The juvenile-justice programs help youngsters caught up in the criminal-justice system get their G.E.D., jobs and stable housing and to stay away from further criminal behavior. Foster care programs serve the vulnerable youngsters who are raised separate from their parents.


Learn more about Robin Hood’s Early Childhood programs.