This service includes a structured Parent Instruction curriculum designed to strengthen parental functioning through brain based, attachment focused, and connection centered parenting education. The curriculum is developmentally informed, trauma responsive.

The program provides parents with clear instruction, guided practice, and ongoing feedback to support sustainable change in parenting behaviors and family functioning.

Curriculum Focus Areas

The 16 week curriculum addresses the core areas necessary for safe, stable, and nurturing parenting, including:

• Brain based parenting and child development

Parents learn how a child’s brain develops, how stress and trauma impact behavior, and how to respond in ways that promote regulation, safety, and learning rather than escalation.

• Attachment and relational safety

Instruction focuses on building secure attachment through consistency, attunement, predictability, and repair. Parents learn how to strengthen their connection while maintaining appropriate boundaries and authority.

• Connection before correction

Parents are taught how relational connection improves compliance, reduces power struggles, and increases emotional safety. Skills emphasize co regulation, empathy, and calm leadership.

• Emotional regulation and co regulation skills
Parents develop the ability to regulate their own nervous system and support their child in managing big emotions through modeling, structure, and supportive responses.

• Transformational discipline strategies
The curriculum teaches non punitive, developmentally appropriate discipline strategies that promote accountability, learning, and behavioral change without shame or fear.

• Understanding behavior as communication
Parents learn to identify the underlying needs driving behavior and respond with effective strategies that address the root cause rather than just the surface behavior.

• Routines, structure, and consistency
Instruction supports parents in creating predictable routines and clear expectations that increase felt safety and improve day to day functioning in the home.

• Parenting under stress and system involvement
Parents receive guidance on managing stress, maintaining consistency during high pressure situations, and navigating parenting demands while involved with DCF or related systems.

Curriculum Structure

The 16-week program is delivered through weekly sessions that include:

• Direct instruction and education
• Skill modelling and demonstration
• Guided practice and role play
• Real-time feedback and coaching
• Home-based application of skills

Progress is monitored throughout the program, and instruction is adjusted to meet the individual needs of the parent and family.

Expected Outcomes

Upon completion of the 16 week curriculum, parents demonstrate:

• Improved understanding of brain-based and attachment-informed parenting
• Increased capacity for emotional regulation and co-regulation
• Stronger parent-child connection and attachment behaviors
• Improved use of safe and effective discipline strategies
• Enhanced consistency, structure, and follow-through
• Increased parental confidence and functioning

DCF Alignment

This curriculum is designed to meet Florida State requirements for parent instruction services by focusing on education, skill development, behavior change, and the enhancement of parental functioning. Documentation of attendance, participation, and progress can be provided as required.