Committees

Policy and Advocacy

Goal

Broaden NPEN’s leadership role in advocating for recognition of parenting education as a profession and for the awareness of the importance of parenting education for the general public and to make parenting education available, accessible, affordable and attractive for all parents and caregivers.

Objectives

• Encourage participation in parenting education throughout the family lifespan.
• Raise awareness among decision makers and the general public about the importance, effectiveness, and scope of parenting education.
• Develop and implement a media communication plan that encompasses various mediums for advocating in the public for parenting education policies (op-ed pieces, letters to the editor).
• Advocate on behalf of parenting educators for sustainable funding mechanisms and policies.
• Develop partnerships with organizations (e.g. state parenting education networks/groups/associations, local/state/national government entities), national systems, and businesses.
• Develop a ToolKit for members to pursue Licensure of Parenting Educators. 

Chair
Ellen Taner

Members
Meg Akabas, Jená Bellezza, Michelle Berscheid, John Jeffers, YuJi Jiang, Shannon Rader, Eve Sullivan, Celia Wilson

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, Samantha Gray, Debbie Farr

Competencies

Goal

Establish NPEN as the leader in setting professional standards in the field of parenting education.

Objectives

• Promote and collect feedback on Parenting Educator Competencies: A Resource Document for the Field of Parenting Education.

• Develop competency list for paraprofessional parenting educators and a manual/guidelines for agencies and programs using paraprofessional parenting educators.

• Update and maintain a matrix of existing professional recognition systems.

• Create a template for states/organizations to use to develop their own professional recognition system.

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Co-Chairs
Betty Cooke and Sandra McClintic

Members

Lorna Durrant, Harriet Heath, YuJi Jiang,  Stephanie Jones, Jody Johnston Pawel, Kristine Stanik, 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, 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, Holly Arnold, Cynthia Richards, Debbie Farr, Jody Johnston Pawel, Harriet Heath, Dana Booker

Professional Outreach

Goal

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

Objectives

• To present an initial introduction of parenting education.
• To attend & present NPEN at other organizations’ events.
• To act as a conduit for other committees by funneling organizational representatives to NPEN committees to meet mutual needs.
• To create partnerships beyond the role of parenting education to enhance work with parents.
• To work with the Marketing and Networking Committees.

Chair
Debbie Farr

Members
Danielle Aretz, Cynthia Levasseur

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, Debbie Farr

Ad-hoc Committees

Assessing Parenting Education Programs
Members: Harriet Heath, YaeBin Kim, Ellen Taner, Celia Wilson, Debbie Farr

Parenting Educators Directory
Members: Danielle Aretz, John Jeffers, Debbie Farr, Jody Johnston Pawel, Ellen Taner

NPEN Conference
Members: Rachel Chrastil, Ann Magalhaes, Jacquie Thomas, Pegi Wright, Debbie Farr

National Parenting Education Day

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

Bylaws
Members: YuJi Jiang, Barb Harvey, Debbie Farr

Presentation Tech Support Team
Members: Harriet Heath, Ann Magalhaes, Jody Johnston Pawel

Advisory Committee

Goal

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

Members
Meg, Akabas, Anne Clarkson, Betty Cooke, Harriet Heath, Stephanie Jones, Glen Palm