Family Development Matrix
What is the Family Development Matrix?
- The Family Development Matrix was introduced to the Nevada Head Start Association by Mr. Jerry Endres of the Institute for Community Collaborative Studies at California State University, Monterey Bay. Mr. Endres designed the Family Development Matrix model and contracted with NvHSA to conduct a statewide implementation of the Matrix.
- The Nevada grantees currently using the Family Development Matrix system are Community Services Agency Head Start (Reno), Economic Opportunity Board / Community Development Institute (Las Vegas), Little People's Head Start (Ely), Head Start of Northeastern Nevada (Elko), the University of Nevada, Reno Early Head Start (Reno), Washoe Tribe Head Start (Northern Nevada), and Inter-Tribal Council of Nevada (Nevada).
- The Family Development Matrix is a strengths-based process of measuring family progress in a number of outcome categories. The outcome categories are included on an Assessment Tool that is administered to Head Start parents at least two times per year, once at the beginning of the school year and once at the end of the school year.
- The outcome categories included on the Assessment Tool are Adult Education and Employment, Family Relations, Immigration Status, Children's Care and Safety, Finances, Shelter, Children's Educational Development, Food/Clothing Status, Social and Emotional Health and Competence, Community Relations, Health and Safety, Literacy and Transportation Status. Each category has a series of related subcategories with four levels of indicators. For example,
- The Matrix uses a four level status scoring system to determine the status level of the family for each category. The Matrix status levels correspond with various aspects of the family's life. While the score of some categories may signal a need for immediate assistance other scores may show that the family's life is flourishing.
- The following table illustrates the Matrix Scoring System
- It is important to note that the parents attribute the score that they feel most appropriately reflects their situation for each category. While the Head Start Staff person guides the process, the parent ultimately determines the score to attribute to each category.
- Once the Head Start parent and staff member have completed scoring the Matrix Assessment Tool, a Head Start staff member enters the scores into the Matrix Database. The Matrix database is designed to track the family's score for each category, as well as track their "change score" from one assessment to another. The Matrix Database is also able to track change scores by grantee as well as Nevada's aggregate change score.
- Once each grantee has completed the minimum requirement of two Assessments per family per year, and entered the scores into the Matrix Database, then each grantee forwards their completed Matrix Database to the Nevada Head Start Association. The seven individual grantee databases can be analyzed seperately or can be converged into one master Matrix Database to generate statewide and regional data and reports.
The Family Development Matrix is a "family" tool that recognizes what the families believe to be their greatest strengths as well as areas for growth. It allows families and staff to work together on mutually agreed upon goals to improve their lives. -Kellie Bates, Formerly of UNR EHS |
Data Analysis
Family Development Matrix Assessment Tools
- PY 2005-2006 FDM Assessment Tool in English
(Requires Microsoft Word or Compatible)
- PY 2005-2006 FDM Assessment Tool in Spanish
(Requires Microsoft Word or Compatible)
- PY 2005-2006 FDM At-a-Glance Score Sheet
(Requires Microsoft Word or Compatible)
Family Development Matrix How-to Guide
Family Development Matrix Trainings
- None scheduled yet! Please check back.