Tulsa children’s project: Applying evidence-based interventions in early childhood settings

Based on evidence that strong and nurturing relationships between children and caregivers can be improved through evidence-based interventions, the Tulsa Children’s Project (TCP) was designed as a highly integrated set of programs for parents, teachers, and administrators at three high-quality early childhood centers serving low-income children from 8 weeks to 5 years. Three groups of interventions were coordinated into an integrated model, including physical health promotion programs (nutrition, exercise, increased access to care), teacher and administrative professional development and curriculum support, and a parent workforce training and development program. To address the stress associated with poverty and a documented history of individual trauma and adversity, mental health and socioemotional development concepts and activities were featured in each of the components. The authors describe the processes involved in applying conceptual models, research theory, and previous empirical findings into feasible and sustainable programs, present preliminary evidence supporting this approach, and identify next steps and lessons learned from the process.