Psychological Consultation and Head Start

Abstract

Head Start programs do not necessarily provide psychological consultation services, but Denver, Colorado, programs do offer such services. This study considered the nature and extent of the Denver Head Start preschool psychological services by examining 510 psychological service case records. Research questions focused on discerning the average age at which children in this population are referred for psychological services, the referral questions most frequently posed, the similarities and differences in the concerns of the family and Head Start staff, psychological service actions initiated, and the goals/progress of the consultation. The results reveal the nature and extent of psychological consultation with this population. Implications are drawn for school psychological service delivery and training school psychologists.

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