Professionals who work with children and families know that supporting parents is key to improving outcomes for kids. Having access to high-quality parenting resources can make a difference in helping families thrive. NurturingParenting.com, home of the evidence-based Nurturing Parenting® Programs, offers a suite of tools, training, and materials specifically designed for the helping professions.
Evidence-Based Programs with Proven Impact
The Nurturing Parenting Programs have a 40-year legacy of research and success behind them. Developed in 1983, these family-centered, trauma-informed interventions were created as an alternative to harmful parenting practices and have been validated by numerous studies and national organizations. The curriculum is recognized by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and was recently endorsed by the California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare for its effectiveness in promoting positive parenting and preventing abuse.
For professionals, this means you can confidently introduce Nurturing Parenting to your client families knowing it’s backed by decades of evidence. Whether you work in child welfare, education, or community health, implementing an established program lends credibility to your services and can help in securing funding support.
The Nurturing Parenting Programs are versatile, spanning infancy through adolescence (with specialized tracks for high-risk cases and special populations). This means you can select or adapt the curriculum to fit the specific needs of the parents you serve. Despite the variety of formats, all models share the same core philosophy and goals: building empathy, setting appropriate expectations, using gentle (nonviolent) discipline, and strengthening healthy parent-child attachment. With this comprehensive curriculum, you can ensure consistency and quality in the parenting education you deliver.
Training and Certification Opportunities
Facilitator Training Workshops (three-day sessions offered worldwide) teach practitioners how to implement Nurturing Parenting with fidelity. For experienced facilitators, a Training of Trainers (TOT) is available to become certified to train others. All trainings emphasize fidelity to the model, as well as cultural sensitivity and trauma-informed practice.
In addition to live workshops, NurturingParenting.com offers plenty of supplemental resources for ongoing learning. Recorded training videos and a wealth of facilitator guides, PowerPoint slides, and research articles are available. These resources ensure you’re not left on your own; instead, you become part of a professional community that continuously shares knowledge. Regular newsletters and blog updates keep facilitators informed and connected.
Assessment Tools for Measuring Progress
A key part of any family intervention is assessing needs and measuring outcomes. NurturingParenting.com supports this with specialized assessment instruments that complement its programs. One key tool is the Adult-Adolescent Parenting Inventory (AAPI), which assesses parents’ child-rearing attitudes in key areas (e.g. expectations of children, attitudes about discipline). It provides an index of risk for unhealthy parenting and is typically given before and after a program to measure improvement. Another assessment, the Nurturing Skills Competency Scale (NSCS), measures a family’s knowledge and practices in healthy parenting; both tools are available online and covered in training.
Using these assessments serves multiple purposes. For practitioners, the results help tailor the program to each family’s unique needs by highlighting strengths and areas for growth. For administrators and funders, the data clearly demonstrate outcomes – critical for reports and continued support. Parents themselves often appreciate seeing their progress quantified, which can boost their motivation to continue practicing new skills. Tools like the AAPI and NSCS add objective measurement to parent education, bringing rigor to the compassionate work of helping families.
Joining a Community of Practice
In addition, NurturingParenting.com maintains a network of certified Family Nurturing Centers around the world – organizations authorized to deliver the programs locally. Professionals can connect through this network to share best practices and support one another in the mission of nurturing families. The site also offers research reports and validation studies to help you stay current on the programs’ evidence base.
Social workers, educators, and family support professionals will find a rich array of parenting resources on NurturingParenting.com. From curricula and training workshops to assessment tools and a support network, every component is designed to empower you in supporting families. By leveraging these professional resources, you can enhance your effectiveness in strengthening families. Parents gain confidence and skills, children receive more nurturing care, and communities break cycles of abuse to build a healthier, compassionate future. When we support those who support families, we all contribute to a brighter future for children.