Policy Makers

The Benefits of Parenting Programs in the Early Years

Consistent, responsive, and nurturing parenting is essential for supporting young children’s mental health and wellbeing. Yet, many parents are overwhelmed and unsure of how to support their children’s mental health. Teachers are also struggling with the mental health needs of the children in their classrooms. High quality, evidence-based parenting programs can have powerful and immediate effects on parenting and children’s mental health. When delivered during the early years (birth-8 years), high quality parenting programs build strong parent-child relationships, strengthen resilience, and support  children’s social, emotional and behavioral skills needed for learning. Parenting is highly modiable, making these programs among the most cost-efficient and effective strategies for supporting children’s mental health and wellbeing during the early years.

Chicago Parent Program: Community-Based Design

Notably, not all parenting programs are equally effective, particularly in underserved communities lacking access to high quality interventions. The Chicago Parent Program (CPP) stands out as an exemplary program that was designed and tested with parents from underserved communities to ensure its relevance and impact. Today, CPP is being implemented in Title 1 schools, Head Start, primary care, and child mental health settings across the country.

Policy Implications

Backed by 15 years of robust, evidence-based research, CPP has demonstrated its cost-efficiency, ability to enhance parents' skills and confidence, and, most importantly, its capacity to improve children's behavioral health in underserved communities. To maximize its impact for families, we urge policymakers to increase sustainable funding to agencies providing CPP and similar parenting programs to families. Currently, a dedicated, accessible, funding stream for parenting initiatives is lacking, despite their significant impact. By investing in parenting support, we not only improve children’s mental health but also cultivate healthier, more vibrant communities for future generations. Embracing CPP today can transform lives and communities, creating a brighter future for all.