Parents Plus, Inc., in partnership with COA Youth and Family Services and La Causa Family Resource Center offers the Parents Are Key program (PAK) to children enrolled in the following early childhood programs:

COA Youth and Family Services
La Causa Family Resource Center
Neighborhood House of Milwaukee, Inc.
Malaika Early Learning Center
Council for the Spanish Speaking Head Start Programs:
 - Guadalupe Loyola
 - Guadalupe Jo's
 - Guadalupe North
 - Guadalupe at Child Center
 - Guadalupe South
 - Guadalupe at Bruce Guadalupe Center

The program serves families through home visiting using an integrated model of two early childhood programs recommended by the U.S. Department of Education. These programs are Parents as Teachers (PAT) and Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY). PAT and HIPPY have long histories of program evaluation, which includes both longitudinal and comparison studies. Research shows that PAT and HIPPY children have a higher level of school readiness.

Both HIPPY and PAT offer free home-based early childhood education working with parent(s) as their children's first teacher. PAT begins prenatally, which is the onset of learning, and extends to age five. A certified parent educator shares information on child development and brings an appropriate play activity. HIPPY provides a set of carefully developed materials, curriculum and books for children ages three, four and five delivered by a former HIPPY parent. Both programs utilize the newest brain research and are designed to strengthen children's cognitive skills, early literacy skills, and social/emotional and physical development.

In addition, the program provides developmental, hearing and vision screenings which give parents an opportunity to see where their child's progress fits in with standardized measures. Family and parents group meetings provide parents the chance to share activities, information, and meet other families. Families are linked to community resources that can support and enrich them.

The partners of PAK are dedicated to a fully integrated model of PAT and HIPPY and are committed to provide well coordinated services using best practices that are strength based and provides parents with the information and skills to become a family of life long learners. The PAK project is funded by a grant through the Greater Milwaukee Foundation.