Objectives: The purpose of this study was to test whether early education intervention influences maternal employment, education, fertility, and receipt of public assistance and health insurance.
Methods: The Infant Health and Development Program is a randomized trial of the efficacy of early education on the outcomes of 985 low-birthweight, premature children. Families in eight sites received either pediatric follow-up and referral (follow-up only group) or pediatric services plus early intervention services (intervention group) for the first 3 years of the child's life.
Results: Mothers in the intervention group were employed more months and returned to the work force earlier than those in the follow-up only group. Fertility and education were not associated with treatment. Mothers who had some college education received more months of public assistance in the intervention group compared with the follow-up only group. Mothers who were employed received more public assistance and public health insurance in the intervention group compared with the follow-up only group, when maternal employment was controlled.
Conclusions: Findings are discussed in terms of the recent emphasis on two-generational programs directed to providing health, welfare, and child care services to young children and their families.