What is Cornerstone?
Cornerstone is an early childhood home visitation program that provides pregnant mothers as well as families of children from birth to age 5 with all of the proper tools necessary for positive child development. Utilizing the evidence-based Parents as Teachers (PAT) curriculum, home visitors teach preventative health, healthy parenting practices and self-sufficiency to pregnant women as well as parenting families with children from birth to age 3. Parents of children ages 3-5 are taught to be their children’s first teacher and school readiness skills. Referrals, pre- and post-program testing and health screenings also contribute to the effectiveness of the Program.
History
Porter-Leath AmeriCorps volunteers began administering the HIPPY curriculum in February 1996 in the LeMoyne Gardens Housing Development in Memphis. The MIHOW program soon followed in 1999 and in 2009, the evidence-based PAT curriculum replaced MIHOW and HIPPY.
Purpose
To provide services to pregnant and parenting families in their homes to give preschool children the best start in life. Goals are to ensure children obtain school readiness skills and to reduce the infant mortality rate in Shelby and Fayette Counties.
Services Provided
- Home visitation utilizing the PAT curriculum
- Early Interventions Services through TEIS (Tennessee Early Intervention Systems) to children 0-3 with developmental delays
- EarnBenefits uses an online system to check benefit eligibility, such as food stamps, prepare and submit applications on the client’s behalf
Benefits
- Increased school-readiness & reduced infant mortality rate
- Increased self-esteem of both parent and child which helps to foster a stronger family relationship