Parent education reduces the risk of child abuse and neglect by encouraging positive parenting practices that promote safety, well-being, and
permanency for children and families. The Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA), as reauthorized in 2010, identifies parent education as a core prevention service. Many of the Children’s Bureau’s Community-Based Child Abuse Prevention (CBCAP) grants fund parent education programming as part of local community prevention efforts. Successful parent education helps parents and caregivers acquire the skills needed to build healthy families and communities.
This issue brief provides an overview of parent education programming, research demonstrating its benefits, and information about different types and examples of evidence-based and evidence-informed parent education programs. Innovative CBCAP-funded parent education programs also are highlighted.
