National Evaluation of the Even Start Family Literacy Program: Report on Migrant Even Start Projects.

In fall 1994, 14 state Migrant Education Programs were receiving direct federal grants to administer Migrant Even Start projects. These projects provide migrant families with an integrated program of early childhood education, adult education, and parenting education. As part of the national evaluation of the Even Start Family Literacy Program, this report describes three Migrant Even Start projects, their evaluation activities and concerns, and the special challenges that they face. The projects are located in Yuma, Arizona; Gettysburg, Pennsylvania; and Berlin and Cambria, Wisconsin. Project descriptions cover program structure and administration, characteristics of the community served, family recruitment, content and delivery of Even Start services, staff, coordination of service components, participation and followup strategies, evaluation and the Even Start Information System (ESIS), and conclusions. Major challenges confronting Migrant Even Start projects include hiring qualified staff who are bilingual, bicultural, and knowledgeable about the migrant lifestyle; adapting service delivery to family schedules; collaborating with other community migrant services; providing continuity of services between sites; providing support services; dealing with migrant families' isolation in the community; and finding quality materials written in Spanish. In comparison to Even Start projects nationally, Migrant Even Start projects are unique in participant characteristics, families' strong commitment to the project, strong staff commitment and responsiveness, scheduling of services, and staffing patterns. Recommendations include increasing interproject collaboration and technical assistance. Contains 20 references and a topic guide for site visits. (SV)