The information in this program outline is provided by the program representative and edited by the CEBC staff. The Nurturing Parenting Programs program has been rated by the CEBC in the areas of: Parent Training and Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (Secondary).

• Types of Maltreatment: Physical Abuse, Physical Neglect, Emotional Abuse, Exposure to Domestic Violence
• Target Population: Parents who are at high-risk for, or have substantiated reports of, child maltreatment.

The Nurturing Parenting Programs are family-based programs utilized for the treatment and prevention of child abuse and neglect. Program sessions are offered in group-based and home-based formats ranging from 12 to 48 sessions. Programs are designed for parents with young children birth to 5 years old, school-aged children 5 to 11 years old, and teens 12 to 18 years old. In addition, programs for children 5 to 11 years old and teens 12 to 18 years old are also offered. Parents and their children meet in separate groups concurrently. Developed from the known behaviors that contribute to the maltreatment of children, the goals of the curriculum are: 1) to teach age-appropriate expectations and neurological development of children; 2) to develop empathy and self worth in parents and children; 3) to utilize nurturing, non-violent strategies and techniques in establishing family discipline; 4) to empower parents and children to utilize their personal power to make healthy choices; and 5) to increase awareness of self and others in developing positive patterns of communication while establishing healthy, caring relationships.

Each of the programs comes with a lesson guide, parent handbook, and videos/DVDs.

The foundation of the Nurturing Parenting Programs is that parenting is learned.

There are six assumptions the Nurturing Parenting Programs is based on: (as defined on the SAMHSA National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices (NREPP) website

• The family is a system.
• Empathy is the single most desirable quality in nurturing parenting.
• Parenting exists on a continuum.
• Learning is both cognitive and affective.
• Children who feel good about themselves are more likely to become nurturing parents.
• No one truly prefers abusive interactions.

Parents and Their Infants, Toddlers and Preschoolers:
Offered as a 48-session home-based or 24-session group-based program. Parents learn about recognizing and understanding feelings, infant and child development, nurturing parenting routines, alternatives to hitting, effective non-violent discipline, and ways to build self-esteem and self-confidence in children.

Parents and Their School-Age Children:
Offered as a 15-session group-based program. Parents and children learn about empathy, appropriate behaviors, brain development, rewards and punishments, praise and self-esteem, non-violent discipline, and ways to have fun as a family.

Parents and Their Teens:
Offered as a 12-session group-based program. Topics include communication, feelings and needs, the importance of self-concept, personal power, brain development in adolescents, pregnancy delay, sex, chemical/drug abuse, AIDS, suicide, and peer pressure.

Nurturing Parenting Programs was designed with a child component that addresses the following presenting problems and symptoms:

• Abuse and neglect.

Age range: 0 – 18

Developmental Delays:

This program was not developed for children with developmental delays, and has not been tested for children with developmental delays.

Nurturing Parenting Programs was designed with a parent/caregiver component that addresses the following presenting problems and symptoms:

• Dysfunctional and abusive/neglecting parenting patterns.

Nurturing Parenting Programs was designed to be conducted in a group setting, and has been tested for use in a group setting.

Recommended group size:

Dependent on the functioning levels of the parents, between 8 to 12 adults and their children meeting in a separate group. Adults - 12 to 15. Children - 12 (depending on age and abilities).

Testing References:

Bavolek, S., Keene, R., & Weikert P. (2004). The Florida study: A comparative examination of the effectiveness of the Nurturing Programs. Final Report, DCF of Florida as found at www.nurturingparenting.com/research_validation/the_florida_study%27.pdf

Cowen, P. S. (2001). Effectiveness of a parent education intervention for at risk families. Journal of the Society for Pediatric Nursing, 6(2), 73-82.

Devall, E. (2004). Positive parenting for high-risk families. Journal for Family and Consumer Sciences, 96(4), 22-28.

Recommended Intensity:

4 sessions per month. Group-based sessions range from 2.5 to 3 hours. Home-based sessions generally run 90 minutes.

Recommended Duration:

12 to 48 weeks.

This program is typically conducted in a(n):

• Birth Family Home
• Community Agency
• Department of Mental Health
• Departments of Social Service
• Parent Education Program
• Prison
• Residential Care Facility
• School

Nurturing Parenting Programs includes a homework component:

Parents and children practice at home the skills they are learning in the sessions.

Nurturing Parenting Programs does not have materials available in a language other than English.

The typical resources for implementing the program are:

A one-time purchase of program manuals, DVDs, assessment tools, supplemental learning materials that runs approximately $900 to $1,800.

Agency personnel typically administer the program absorbing personnel costs. Location usually requires two rooms: one for parents and one for children.

College education in a related field and experience with group instructional skills for implementing parent/child sessions is required.

There is a manual that describes how to implement this program, and there is training available for this program.

Training Contact:

• Joan Marie Dellinger
  Fnc@nurturingparent.com

Training is obtained:

Through agency-sponsored statewide, region-wide or nationwide workshops.

Number of days/hours:

1 to 3 days depending on the skills of the audience.

Additional Resources:

There currently are additional qualified resources for training:

Family Development Resources, Inc. has a cadre of nationally recognized trainers and consultants available to conduct statewide and local trainings. See website for contact information:www.nurturingparenting.com.

This program is rated a "3 - Promising Research Evidence" on the Scientific Rating Scale based on the published, peer-reviewed research available. The practice must have at least one study utilizing some form of control (e.g., untreated group, placebo group, matched wait list study) establishing the practice's benefit over the placebo, or found it to be comparable to or better than an appropriate comparison practice. Please see the Scientific Rating Scale for more information.

Child Welfare Outcomes: Safety and Child/Family Well-Being