Parenting

We provide a comprehensive range of evaluations and services to help parents meet their children’s needs and cultivate healthy family dynamics. Recognizing that parenting skills are learned and shaped by cultural context, we tailor our programs to different age groups (0–5, 6–12, and 13–18) and offer culturally responsive classes in English, Haitian Creole and Spanish. We empower parents to develop more secure, nurturing relationships with their children and foster an environment where families can thrive.

Parenting Capacity Evaluation

We provide parenting capacity evaluations for Child Protective Services, the courts, and other agencies. A Parenting Capacity Evaluation (PCE) is a comprehensive assessment conducted by a qualified mental health professional to determine a parent’s ability to meet their child’s needs. This evaluation typically examines the parent’s psychological and emotional stability, parenting skills, understanding of child development, capacity to provide a safe and nurturing environment, and any risk factors that could affect the child’s well-being.

The outcome of a PCE is generally a detailed report that identifies strengths and areas of concern, assesses the parent’s willingness and ability to address issues raised by Child Protective Services or the courts, and offers recommendations for services or interventions to enhance parenting capacity. These evaluations are often used in legal contexts, such as child protective services cases, custody disputes, investigations of alleged abuse or neglect, and any situation where a parent’s ability to care for their child is questioned.

Parenting Education & Support Groups

Parenting is not an innate ability; rather, we learn it from our own experiences of being parented, from social and cultural norms in our communities, and through the trial and error that comes with caregiving. Everyone who chooses to become a parent has something to learn, and maintaining an open, flexible mindset is crucial for meeting children’s basic needs and ensuring their physical and emotional health. Our parenting workshops and support groups provide opportunities to learn and strengthen parenting skills, while sharing both challenges and successes.

Circle of Security Parenting
We use attachment theory as the foundation of our psychoeducation, guiding parents to understand their roles and adjust behaviors that promote empathic parenting. Attachment theory emphasizes the significance of a secure, trusting relationship between parent and child. By fostering this secure bond, parents provide a safe base for their children, enabling them to explore the world and develop self-confidence. Geared toward parents of infants and young children (ages 0–5), this group aims to address early developmental needs and strengthen parent-child connections.

Parent Education for Middle Childhood and Adolescence
These classes are designed for caregivers of children aged 6–12 and adolescents aged 13–18. The curriculum covers key aspects of physical and social-emotional development while offering practical strategies to address challenging behaviors. Participants learn ways to build stronger, more cooperative relationships with their children during these critical developmental stages.

Parent Education for Haitian and Hispanic/Latinx Families.
Haitian and Hispanic/Latinx parents and caregivers often face significant challenges when adapting to life in the United States, particularly due to differences in cultural values and parenting practices. To support these families, we offer specialized 12-week parenting classes organized by age groups (0–5, 6–12, and 13–18) to help foster a balance between cultural heritage and the expectations of their new environment. Specifically designed for parents and caregivers who have recently immigrated, these sessions are conducted in Haitian Creole or Spanish to eliminate language barriers. Bilingual instructors and culturally competent facilitators lead the classes, creating a supportive and understanding space for all participants.

Supporting Immigrant Parent/Caregivers’ Mental Health
This is a 12-week therapeutic group designed to address the unique stressors faced by immigrant parents from Haiti and Spanish-speaking countries who are involved with the Department of Children and Families (DCF). This group focuses on providing a supportive environment where parents can address their emotional, social, and mental health needs while also identifying resources to support their overall well-being.

Nurturing Parents
This is an eight week structured therapeutic group led by mental health professionals that combine emotional support, counseling techniques, and practical parenting guidance. The group creates a safe space for parents to share challenges, learn new skills, and explore underlying issues—such as trauma, stress, or adverse childhood experiences—that may affect their approach to parenting. Through group discussions, role-plays, and personalized feedback, participants gain healthier coping strategies and communication tools, ultimately helping them foster more stable, caring and responsive relationships with their children.