What Are Nurturing Programs

Reference Chart of Nurturing Programs (PDF File)

Nurturing Parenting Programs

Welcome to the Nurturing Parenting Program web site. Thank you for your interest in learning more about the philosophy, design and implementation of the programs. The following is a brief overview to better acquaint you with design, philosophy and uniquenesses of the Nurturing Parenting Programs:

The Nurturing Parenting Programs are a family-centered initiative 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 multiparent 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.

Levels of Prevention

The Nurturing Parenting Programs are designed for the prevention and treatment of child abuse and neglect. To meet the specific needs of families, programs have been identified according to the standard levels of prevention: primary, secondary (intervention) and tertiary (treatment).

Prevention Programs (primary prevention)
The primary prevention of child abuse and neglect has been a sought after goal for decades. At primary level of prevention, a “zero tolerance” community philosophy exists. Parenting education at the pre-parent stage, the pre-natal stage, education for special learning needs children,  support groups, community action teams, community awareness campaigns, community resources are implemented so all forms of child maltreatment can be prevented.

Nurturing Parenting Programs listed on the Reference Table under Prevention provide education to increase the knowledge and skills of parents and pre-parents.

Intervention Programs (secondary prevention)
At the secondary level of prevention, programs are designed to “intervene” to prevent further escalation of the early stages of maltreatment. Families at this level are often referred to as “at-risk.” The goal of intervention is to provide families with the necessary knowledge, skills, resources and services to build upon their parenting strengths to prevent abuse and neglect.

Nurturing Skills Programs listed on the Reference Table under Intervention allow professionals and parents to work together in tailor making programs to meet their specific parenting needs.

Treatment Programs (tertiary prevention)
At the tertiary level of prevention, programs are designed to “treat” families identified by Social Services for child abuse and neglect. At this level of prevention, families are in need of structured, long-term, family-based programs and services to replace old, existing hurting patterns of parenting with newer, nurturing parenting patterns. The process of re-parenting can best be accomplished with proven programs over time.

Brief Overview and Description

• The Nurturing Parenting Programs are evidenced based parenting programs that can be offered in a group setting, a home setting or in a combination of group and home settings.
  
  
• The first Nurturing Parenting Program was developed and validated in a multi-site, three year national study from 1983 to 1985. The study was funded by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) to prevent the recurrence of child abuse and neglect in families with school-age children 5 to 12 years of age.
  
  
• The NIMH study demonstrated the effectiveness of the Nurturing Parenting philosophy and implementation strategies in remediating the current abuse, and preventing the recurrence of abuse in 93% of the families completing the program. You are invited to click on the Research and Validation side tab to review the initial study and all subsequent studies conducted to support the effectiveness of the Nurturing Parenting Programs.

Uniquenesses of the Nurturing Parenting Programs

The Nurturing Parenting Programs have several unique features that make the programs effective:

• Nurturing Parenting Programs are designed for the treatment and prevention of child abuse and neglect. The programs are utilized nation wide to improve the lives of families ravaged by dysfunction.
  
  
• The Nurturing Programs are family based interventions where parents and their children learn similar knowledge and skills for improving the quality of their lives.
• Built in assessment strategies allow facilitators and parents to chart the course of their successes.
  
  
• Families can attend group-based programs, home-based programs, or a combination of group and home based sessions.
  
  
• The flexibility within the structure of the programs allows facilitators to ensure the specific needs of families are being met.
  
  
• The nurturing philosophy of non-violent parenting focuses on the development of empathy, self-worth, self-awareness, empowerment, discipline with dignity, appropriate family roles and age-appropriate expectations of children’s development.
  
  
• Lesson guides, DVDs, parent handbooks, and assessment inventories provide facilitators with individual lessons designed to promote individual and family growth.
  
  
• Parents and children learn how to play games, sign songs and have fun as a family.

National Recognition and International Utilization

The Nurturing Parenting Programs are recognized by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the National Registry for Evidence-based Parenting Programs (NREPP), The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJPD) and a number of state and local agencies as proven programs for the prevention and treatment of child abuse and neglect.

The Departments of the Army and Navy utilize the Nurturing Parenting Program to enhance parenting skills for first time parents in bases world wide.

National Training and Consultants

Located in our Training Resources Section is a listing of our national training workshops and a listing of trainers in your state.  Learn how to have you and your colleagues trained in the Nurturing Parenting Programs!