In 2026, we are taking a closer look at the Office of Childhood (OOC) by exploring different programs that work together to strengthen children and families, and the professionals that support them. In this year’s newsletter series, we will spend each month highlighting different OOC programs. OOC is composed of many unique and connected parts, and each plays an important role. Together, all these programs are part of a larger system that supports families statewide. Our intent is to show how OOC programs fit together to create a better understanding of the work.
As part of our yearlong journey through the Office of Childhood (OOC), this month we are highlighting the Home Visiting Section. Missouri Parents as Teachers (PAT) Parent Education Program supports families during one of the most important times in a child’s life from prenatal to kindergarten entry. Research on Missouri’s Parents as Teachers program shows strong data results, including improved school attendance and higher achievement in reading and math by third grade.
PAT Parent Education Program is voluntary and free for all Missouri families through their local school districts. They focus on helping children grow up healthy, safe, and ready to learn, while giving families the tools and confidence to support their child’s development every step of the way. Home visiting services help families build strong foundations for success. Parent educators provide support for families to gain a better understanding of how their child grows and learns. This helps families feel more confident in their role and encourages them to be active partners in their child’s education.
Home visiting has a strong history in Missouri and has been given the distinct recognition as the “Birthplace of the Parents as Teachers Program”. This program began as a pilot study that showed how strong partnerships between families and educators can improve child development and learning. In 1984, the Missouri General Assembly enacted the Early Childhood Development Act. This authorized and required every school district in the state to provide parent education and developmental screenings for families with children birth to kindergarten entry. One notable fact is that Missouri is the only state to have universal home visiting services, thanks to this legislation and the efforts of our public-school districts. This Missouri program grew to become the largest home visiting program to impact families and children worldwide.
Parents as Teachers provides support through trained parent educators who work directly with families using a research-based curriculum. These services are flexible and tailored to each individual family’s needs and goals with four main components. These components consist of family personal visits, developmental screenings, group connections, and a resource network. First, families can take part in regular home visits, where they learn about child development and ways to support early learning. Second, families receive developmental screenings to track their child’s progress and identify any concerns early. Third, families can join group connection opportunities to meet other parents and build community. Fourth, they are connected to local resources that can provide additional support when needed.
Professional development and networking groups also contribute to broader efforts to support child and family well-being. For example, the Missouri Parents as Teachers Association (MOPATA) partners with the Missouri Department of Transportation to promote child passenger safety and prevent distracted driving. Through this work, parent educators receive specialized training, support car seat safety events, and share important safety information with families. These efforts have reached thousands of families across the state.
The PAT Parent Education Program plays an important role in connecting families, schools, and communities by meeting families where they are. These programs build trust, provide guidance, and create strong partnerships that last well beyond the early years of a child’s life. As one piece of the OOC puzzle, Parent Education helps support positive parenting practices, improved maternal and child health, and promotes child development and school readiness.