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.

Co-Chairs
Mollie Bailey and Carol Nass

Members
Margaret Stridick, 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
Michelle Berscheid,  Debbie Farr, Samantha Gray, YaeBin Kim

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
Ebonyse Mead

Members
Chelsea Hamilton, Cynthia Richards, Dana Booker, Meilana Charles, Patricia Douglas, Crystal Hale

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 create partnerships beyond the role of parenting education to enhance work with parents; and
• To respond to requests for partnerships with other organizations.

Chair
Debbie Farr

Members
Danielle Aretz, Cynthia Levasseur, Shannon Rader

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, Samantha Gray

Ad-hoc Committees

NPEN Conference
Members: Rachel Chrastil, Ann Magalhaes, Pegi Wright, Debbie Farr, Maryam Abdullah, Racheal Parker

National Parenting Education Day

Members: Cynthia Richards, Ann Magalhaes, Barb Harvey, Jody Johnston Pawel

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, Nina Petrovich

Scholarships
Members: Meg Akabas, Ann Magalhaes, Shannon Rader

Founders Celebration
Members: Danielle Aretz, Rachel Chrastil, Betty Cooke, Debbie Farr, Barb Harvey, Ann Magalhaes, 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