Nurturing Parenting

The Nurturing Parenting Programs are a family-centered trauma-informed initiative designed to build nurturing parenting skills as an alternative to abusive and neglecting parenting and child-rearing practices. There are approximately 30 programs or program models available that are designed to meet the family’s educational learning styles and abilities; the family’s culture and language; the ages of the children as well as the ages of the parents. The Nurturing Parenting Programs are designed to meet the family’s needs based on their parenting strengths and weaknesses. Nurturing Parenting Programs are designed for each of the three levels of prevention, commonly recognized in the fields of social work, mental health, and medicine: primary, secondary and tertiary.

Last reviewed: 2023

Intended Outcomes:

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.

Continuum of Care:
Indicated Prevention, Selective Prevention, Universal Prevention

Topic Areas:
Behavioral Health/Mental Health, Disruptive Behaviors, Intellectual Disabilities, Physical Health, Substance Use, Trauma

Ages:
Childhood (4-12), Early Childhood (0-3), Teen/Adolescent (13-18)

Geographic Locations:
Rural, Urban

Delivery Settings:
Community-Based, Congregate Care Facility, School-Based

Cultural Considerations:
No research found involving diverse populations

Audience:
Parents of families who are in need of additional positive parenting training and support

Credentials:
There is no minimum educational level requirement for being trained on the program, but professionals and paraprofessionals working in diverse areas such as education, mental health, juvenile probation, violence prevention, child welfare, school systems, treatment facilities, social work, and social services can benefit from the training.

Manuals:
Yes

Is Training Required?
Yes, see developer info

Who can provide the required training?
Training is necessary to ensure proper understanding and implementation of the Nurturing Programs. The success of the programs depends on competent, qualified professionals understanding the implementation, goals and philosophy of the program. Trainings are posted on the website. Agencies can also host trainings through their agency by contacting the Family Nurturing Center: FNC@NurturingParenting.com.

Program Costs (materials, training, etc.):
Yes, refer to program website

Program/Practice Website:
https://www.nurturingparenting.com

Relevant Published, Peer-Reviewed Research:

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

Additional Sources:

https://www.nurturingparenting.com/about.html

Promising rating

WV Rating:
Promising
»WV Ratings Info

Rationale for Rating:

The research available was limited and it was neither peer-reviewed nor rigorous. There was also a lack of diversity in the samples. Overall, there is limited information outside of the state reports (e.g., many of the state reports were written by the creator of the Nurturing Parent protocols).

Contraindications or Concerns:
None identified

Other Registries/Ratings

The California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare:
Promising Research Evidence

Blueprints for Healthy Youth Development:
Not On Registry

Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness:
Not On Registry

Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Model Programs Guide:
Not On Registry

Washington State Institute for Public Policy:
Not On Registry