Decker Family Development Center

Description/Objectives:

The Decker Family Development Center is a collaborative among The University of Akron, Barberton City Schools, and Children's Hospital Medical Center of Akron.  Strong cooperative  support is also provided by an additional 21 Summit County (Ohio) agencies who are charged with providing services to at risk families with preschool children.  The Decker Center opened in August of 1990 and currently serves 275 parents and their 325 preschool children.  Staff from the three collaboratives and 23 support agencies moved into a former elementary school and transformed it into a "one-stop" family support and early childhood intervention program.  The staff from these agencies provide comprehensive social, medical, educational and mental health services to low-income, at-risk parents and their preschool children.  The family is the focal point of service at the Decker Center and family members may participate in any of the programs.

Year Collaborative Initiative Established:  1990

No. of Schools/Agencies/Organizations Served:  Varies

Evaluation Summary:  Monographs are available at cost of request.

External Source of Funds:

Ohio Department of Human Services, Ohio Department of Education;

US. Department of Education, Barbara Bush Family Literacy Foundation; Sisler McFawn Foundation; GAR Foundation, Akron Knight Family Literacy Project, Summit County Department of Human Services.

Contact Person(s):                                           

Brian Pendleton                                                       

Professor, Sociology                                                       

College of Arts and Sciences                                 

The University of Akron                                             

Akron, OH  44325-1905                                        

(330) 972-6893

Carol Newman

Associate Professor, Education

College of Education

The University of Akron

Akron, OH  44325-4205

(330) 972-6465