ABSTRACT
Although the importance of early childhood development (ECD) is well understood, related programming is scarce, especially in vulnerable Arab communities facing multiple emergencies. In 2012, the Arab Resource Collective (ARC) and its partners developed and pilot-tested a multi-sectoral responsive caregiving program in Lebanon, Egypt, and Jordan, all countries facing climate and refugee crises, and soon the pandemic. The program aimed to improve parents’ well-being, reduce stress levels, and support positive discipline strategies. When COVID-19 impacted Lebanon and Jordan in 2020, the intervention was provided both through an adapted face-to-face model and a new online delivery modality. These new modalities were piloted in one village in Mount Lebanon and two refugee camps in Lebanon and Jordan. Beneficiaries included disadvantaged families in Lebanon and Jordan as well as Syrian and Palestinian refugees. This chapter describes the adaption process and findings from testing three implementation modalities on parents’ knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. Additionally, the chapter provides lessons learned that can inform similar programs targeting parents of young children in other crisis contexts.
