LCA Logo

LCA Education & Consulting

Nurturing Skills for Families Program

Evidence-Based Parenting

Education and Intervention

The Nurturing Skills for Families Program is an evidence-based parenting program grounded in over 30 years of research through the Nurturing Parenting Programs® framework. It is designed to strengthen parenting skills, reduce risk factors for child maltreatment, and support healthy parent-child relationships through competency-based learning.

 

This program is implemented across levels of prevention, with dosage and accountability tailored to the needs and risk level of each family.

How the Program Is Structured

 

The Nurturing Skills for Families Program uses the same core competencies across all levels. What changes is intent, dosage, referral source, and level of accountability.

 

Three Levels of Prevention and Dosage

 

Level 1: Community / Entry Level

Primary Prevention – Parenting Education

This level is designed for low-risk families seeking parenting education and skill-building before problems escalate.

 

Purpose

  • Prevent future family stress and dysfunction
  • Strengthen foundational parenting skills
  • Increase understanding of child development and nurturing practices

 

Typical Features

  • Preventative and educational in nature
  • Focus on core parenting competencies
  • Voluntary or lightly referred participation
  • Delivered in group or individual formats

 

Dosage

  • Approximately 5–12 sessions
  • Often delivered as a short-term series (no less than 12 instructional hours)

 

This level aligns with the Primary Prevention (Education) model outlined in the Nurturing Parenting Programs framework.

 

Level 2: Intervention Level

Secondary Prevention – Court-Ordered or Agency-Referred Families

This is the primary intervention level for the Nurturing Skills for Families Program and is commonly used with families referred by courts, child welfare agencies, or other service providers.

 

Purpose

  • Interrupt emerging patterns of dysfunction
  • Address identified parenting risk factors
  • Build safer, more nurturing parent-child interactions

 

Typical Features

  • Court-ordered or agency-referred participation
  • Assessment-driven lesson selection
  • Clear attendance and participation expectations
  • May include group sessions, home visits, or a combination model

 

Dosage

  • Typically 12–20 sessions, adjusted based on assessment results and family progress.
  • Generally 30–40 hours of instruction and additional at-home guided practice

 

This level aligns with Secondary Prevention (Intervention) as defined by the Nurturing Parenting Programs.

 

Level 3: Treatment Considerations

Tertiary Prevention – High-Risk Families

 

Families with confirmed abuse, neglect, or chronic dysfunction may require treatment-level services.

 

While the Nurturing Skills for Families Program can inform work at this level, families may be referred to more intensive, treatment-specific Nurturing Parenting Programs designed for re-parenting and maltreatment intervention. Please contact for additional information. Assessments may be required before referral is given.

 

Dosage

  • 15+ sessions, depending on assessed needs and court requirements

 

Placement at this level is determined through formal assessment and referral processes.

What Families Will Learn

  • Brain development and child behavior
  • Effective communication
  • Positive discipline strategies
  • Problem-solving skills
  • Stress and self-regulation

 

Who Facilitates the Program

Programs are delivered by trained, credentialed facilitators with experience in family support and evidence-based parenting models.

Note For Caseworkers and Referral Partners

 

The Nurturing Skills for Families Program aligns with recognized prevention and intervention standards used in child welfare, mental health, and social services. Program placement and dosage are most effective when guided by structured assessment.

 

Caseworkers may refer families directly to the community / entry-level program when a preventative, educational approach is appropriate. However, all families are encouraged to complete an assessment to ensure the selected level of service, lesson focus, and dosage best meet their needs.

 

Assessment supports:

  • Accurate placement across levels of prevention
  • Appropriate session dosage
  • Effective use of core and supplemental competencies
  • Meaningful documentation of progress and outcomes

 

Documentation of participation, attendance, and progress will be provided in accordance with referral or court requirements. Consultation is available to support assessment-informed placement decisions.