Primary Project is a school-based early intervention and prevention program designed to enhance school-related competencies and to reduce social, emotional and school adjustment difficulties for children in grades Pre-K through 3. The goals of this program include detecting school adjustment difficulties early; helping children to develop a school-based, trusting relationship with an adult; and enhancing learning skills Through screening and in coordination with teachers and parents, children are selected and, with parental consent, are paired with specially trained Child Associates. These paraprofessionals form a trusting relationship with the child using a child-led play philosophy. The children are typically seen once a week for 12-15 sessions. The successful Primary Project program can:           • reduce negative adjustment behaviors           • improve a child’s self-confidence, social skills, and learning ability. May be shy, anxious, or withdrawn May be defiant or moody Need to be more in control of their behaviors Exhibit problems engaging peers in positive relationships Exhibit mild physical aggression Generally experience school as unpleasant Children who are often most appropriate for participating in Primary Project include those who: We believe in the sanctity of the family If you’d like to learn more about Primary Project, please contact us at Focus on Families or visit the website of the program’s originators at www.ChildrensInstitute.net. Focus on Families is proud to have provided Primary Project services at three New Orleans area schools in recent years.  It has been most rewarding to see the positive results and the resoundingly strong impact this program had not only on the standardized pre- and post-project measures, but also in the learning skills and general behaviors of the children enrolled in Primary Project and those who have successfully completed the program and totally reintegrated with their peers.