Circle of Parents is a nationwide, nonprofit movement of support groups designed to give parents the opportunity to learn from and support one another in the important job of raising their children. Led by parents with the help of a trained facilitator, the weekly groups reduce the isolation and lack of support many parents feel while strengthening families, improving child development, and preventing child abuse and neglect. Circle of Parents groups are open and free to everyone through 26 statewide and regional organizations in 25 states.

In addition to educating and empowering women and men in their own parenting role, Circle of Parents also fosters parent leadership in the groups, in the Circle of Parents movement, and in their broader community.

National research has shown that women and men participating in Circle of Parents feel supported and connected to other parents, and learn more about how to parent their children as they grew, how to channel the stress of parenting, and how to effectively discipline their children in non-violent ways.

Launched in 2004, Circle of Parents relies on charitable contributions from individuals and corporations, and on funding support from federal, state and foundation grants.

Intentionally organized to focus on community-based program delivery and reduce overhead and administrative costs, Circle of Parents has only three employees in the national office and a voluntary board of directors.

Problem

Data shows that approximately three million children are reported as abused or neglected each year. The lack of support provided to parents in understanding child development and how to be the best parents they can be--including managing stress--is a major contributing factor in abuse and neglect. Yet, many of the formal and informal supports parents relied on for generations no longer exist, and too many parents are "going it alone."

Solution

Mutual-support, self-help programs for parents have been proven to increase understanding of child development, reduce stress and anxiety, and improve parenting behaviors, thereby reducing the risk of abuse and neglect.

Example

Grounded in parent leadership and anonymity, Circle of Parents relies on trained parent facilitators who provide an open and supportive forum for parents to engage with, and learn from, one another. Circle of Parents groups meet weekly, are free of charge, and foster an open exchange of ideas, support, information and resources. These kinds of groups serve those parenting children of all ages and families of all types. There are groups across the country, and they operate under different names and organizations. But they are all there to help parents find support.

Marketplace

Currently the Circle of Parents national network represents a partnership of parent leaders and 26 statewide and regional organizations in 25 states. The organization was formed after a successful collaborative project of Prevent Child Abuse America and the National Family Support Roundtable, which was made possible by the Children's Bureau, Administration on Children, Youth and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Over the next few years, Circle of Parents intends to expand the national network add new groups, strengthen existing programs and develop new family support initiatives.