The Original Research Study
Creciendo Juntos is an adaptation of the PFL approach, which was developed in Ireland in 2008 and evaluated through an RCT. Due to PFL’s great results in Ireland, the study found that the intervention led to cognitive and behavioral benefits for children. We chose to facilitate family services in Chicago using this approach due to PFL’s great results in Ireland.
Orla Doyle (2019). Preparing for Life at age 9: Assessing the continuity or fade-out of effects (Technical report). UCD Geary Institute for Public Policy, University College Dublin. https://www.preparingforlife.ie/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Age-9-Follow-up-Report-_Final.pdf
The Follow Up Study
The follow up study, completed in 2025, found that by age 14, the children who participated in the program had better cognition and educational aspirations. In November 2023, PFL was added to the US Department of Health and Human Services Home Visiting Evidence of Effectiveness (HomVEE) list. This means the program meets high government standards and has been proven to create lasting, positive changes for children and families.
Doyle, O. (2025). The Age 14 Follow-up of the Preparing for Life Study. University College Dublin. https://www.preparingforlife.ie/preparing-for-life-age-14-evaluation-results-toolkit/
The Creciendo Juntos Study
The Creciendo Juntos project is designed as closely as possible to the original study, adapted to meet the different circumstances faced by Chicago families. The key principles of PFL’s supportive, flexible, and parent-centered approach are maintained. However, the content and delivery are tailored to meet the needs of the target community, as well as to reflect changes in best practices between the start of the original trial and today.
This leads us to a similar, yet updated, design and culturally responsive research project.
More details on the study parameters will be available soon.
Research
Preparing for Life: Summary Report Age 14
Orla Doyle, University of College Dublin
The Rate of Return to the HighScope Perry Preschool Program
James J. Heckman, Seong Hyeok Moon, Rodrigo Pinto, Peter A. Savelyev, Adam Yavitz
