Greenwich Parents as Teachers (GPAT) is a free and voluntary early intervention home visitation program serving low-income families and their children, from birth (prenatal) to age three. Recognizing how critical prenatal care and the first three years are to a child’s development, GPAT utilizes a nationally recognized, 35-year-old evidence-based home visitation model, Parents as Teachers (PAT), to partner with families and support parents and caregivers in their children’s development.

To implement GPAT, Greenwich United Way partnered with Family Centers, a local nonprofit organization that is uniquely positioned to provide additional wraparound services to address participating families’ needs such as health services, counseling, workforce development and classes for English Language Learners (ELL).

The GPAT program is staffed by bilingual certified Parent Educators (PE) who provide parent education, developmental information, and family support through personal home visits to promote the healthy development of children.

To qualify for GPAT, a family must live in Greenwich and meet income eligibility guidelines. The program utilizes the Connecticut Free and Reduced Price Lunch (FRL) guidelines. Parents are referred to the program by their OB-GYNs during their final trimester.

100% of GPAT families report that the program has a positive impact on their lives and is helping them “be the best parent they can be.”

Pre-School Instructional Coach (PSIC) utilizes the Jim Knight coaching model, which focuses on providing a dedicated partner for teachers, providing evidence-based practices that improve teaching and learning so students can be more successful. The PSIC receives support from a part-time Early Childhood Consultant.

In order to have a greater impact on the achievement gap in Greenwich, in the Fall of 2021 Greenwich United Way transitioned the PSIC to Greenwich Public Schools preschool classrooms at Hamilton Avenue and New Lebanon, and Julian Curtiss schools; these schools are Title 1 elementary schools. The PSIC is also in Grace Daycare & Learning Center and Children’s Day School, which primarily serves Greenwich residents.

PSIC utilizes a two-tier coaching model in which there are ongoing opportunities to grow and hone coaching, consultations and adult learning skills. Those skills are then applied within consultation practices with the staff and administration at GUW partner sites.

To qualify for the Instructional Coaching a child must simply be a student at Hamilton Avenue, New Lebanon, Julian Curtiss, Grace or Children’s Day School preschool.