& NURTURING FAMILIES

 

 






Nurturing Parenting Program

The Nurturing Parenting Programs are a family-centered trauma-informedinitiative designed to build nurturing parenting skills as an alternative to abusive and neglecting parenting and child-rearing practices. The long term goals are to prevent recidivism in families receiving social services, lower the rate of multi-parent teenage pregnancies, reduce the rate of juvenile delinquency and alcohol abuse, and stop the intergenerational cycle of child abuse by teaching positive parenting behaviors.

The Nurturing Programs target all families at risk for abuse and neglect with children birth to 18 years. The programs have been adapted for special populations, including Hmong families, Military families, Hispanic families, African-American families, Teen Parents, Foster and Adoptive Families, Families in Alcohol Treatment and Recovery, Parents with Special Learning Needs, and Families with Children with Health Challenges.

The programs feature activities to foster positive parenting skills and self-nurturing, home practice exercises, family nurturing time, and activities to promote positive brain development in children birth to 18 years. Lessons can be delivered in a home-based setting, group-based setting, or combination of home and group settings.

Parents and children attend separate groups that meet concurrently designed to build self-awareness, positive concept/self-esteem and build levels of empathy; teach alternatives to hitting and yelling; enhance family communication and awareness of needs; replace abusive behaviors with nurturing behaviors; promote healthy physical and emotional development; and teach appropriate role and developmental expectations.