Committees

Membership

Goal

To implement strategies to increase NPEN membership and facilitate the processes for members to step into leadership positions.

Objectives

• General Membership: 1) develop and implement a recruitment plan to increase NPEN membership, utilizing marketing strategies and materials; 2) connect with parenting educators, parenting education organizations, program providers, and institutions to solicit membership in NPEN.
• Leadership: 1) conduct the nomination, application, & onboarding process for new Board members, ensuring diversity, equity, and inclusion; 2) establish a slate of officers and conduct the election; 3) through collaboration with other committees, increase committee participation of NPEN members.

Chair
Margaret Stridick

Members
Mollie Bailey, Carol Nass, Holly Arnold, Damaris Bibi, Michelle Anne Shoen

Competencies

Goal

The Competencies Committee will promote the application of competencies in different areas of the parenting education field.

Objectives

• Complete the revision of the Parenting Educator Competencies: A Resource Document for the Field of Parenting Education (2025 Edition).

• Conceptualize and develop resources that support and promote the use of the Parenting Educator Competencies documents.

• Collaborate with the Finance, Marketing, and other NPEN Committees to promote the distribution of the Parenting Educator Competencies documents.

• Update and maintain a framework of existing professional preparation and recognition systems along with the NPEN Professional Development Committee.

• Continue development of a parenting educator self-assessment instrument.

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Co-Chairs
Betty Cooke and Sandra McClintic

Members

Lorna Durrant, Harriet Heath, YuJi Jiang,  Stephanie Jones, Jody Johnston Pawel, Dana McDermott, Judy Wolf

Financial Resource Development

Goal

To establish & manage a sustainable financial model for NPEN over time.

Objectives

• By finding funding for specific projects/activities, support the work of the NPEN committee.
• By collaborating with the NPEN committees and members, develop & maintain actions for sufficient positive cash flow to the organization.
• Provide guidance to NPEN committees and members directed toward increasing financial resources and developing systems to manage those resources.

Chair
John Jeffers

Members
Debbie Farr, Barb Harvey, Samantha Gray

Professional Development

Goal

To support the field of parenting education by offering various types of training and professional development through both standard and creative venues. 

Objectives

• To offer diverse training opportunities to members and non-members, providing CEUs when possible;
• To offer, when appropriate, regional development and learning opportunities;
• To work collaboratively with parenting professionals, paraprofessionals, students, and family support organizations; and
  
• To work collaboratively with other NPEN committees.

Chair
Open

Members
Dana Booker, Patricia Douglas, Crystal Hale, Chelsea Hamilton, Ebonyse Mead, Cynthia Richards, Michelle Shoen

Professional Outreach

Goal

To actively seek outward professional relationships and collaboration to create bidirectional benefit.

Objectives

• To act as a conduit between NPEN and other like-minded organizations;
• To respond to current events related to families, parenting, and parenting education as needed;
• To facilitate connection with other professions, community resources,  and organizations who support or interact with families; and
• To respond to requests for partnerships with other organizations.

Chair
Debbie Farr

Members
Danielle Aretz, Shannon Rader, Monica Zeno-Martin

Marketing

Goal

To communicate to stakeholders what NPEN offers and how we support the field of parenting education.

Objectives

• Create strategies for assisting and advertising the work of NPEN committees.
• Promote NPEN through various avenues to gain volunteers and donors.

Chair
Jody Johnston Pawel

Members
Ann Magalhaes, Mary Willcox Smith

Ad-hoc Committees

NPEN Conference
Members: Debbie Farr (co-chair), Maryam Abdullah (co-chair), Rachel Chrastil, Ann Magalhaes, Pegi Wright, Racheal Parker, Luciana Aparecida Campos

National Parenting Education Day

Members: Ann Magalhaes, Barb Harvey, Samantha Gray

Assessment
Members: YaeBin Kim, Harriet Heath, Debbie Farr

Certification/Licensure Toolkit

Members: Stephanie Jones, Judy Wolfe, Harriet Heath, Betty Cooke, Barb Harvey, Meilana Charles, Sandy McClintic, Ellen Taner, Eve Sullivan, Shannon Rader

Scholarships
Members: Meg Akabas, Ann Magalhaes, Shannon Rader

Founders Celebration
Members: Rachel Chrastil, Betty Cooke, Mary Kay Stranik

Advisory Committee

Goal

Recruit, inform, and consult with the Board on issues and history.

Members
Meg Akabas, Betty Cooke, Harriet Heath, John Jeffers, Stephanie Jones, Glen Palm, Ellen Taner