After operating out of the University of Delaware for the last 15 years, ABC Parenting Institute launched as an independent nonprofit 501(c)(3) on July 1, 2024. ABC Parenting’s mission is to nurture parent-child relationships through science-based practice and community partnership.  Aligned with this mission, ABC Parenting implements the parenting program, Attachment and Biobehavioral Catch-up (ABC), to parents of infants and young children. 

ABC is an evidence-based parenting program that targets parental nurturance and sensitivity through 10 home visiting sessions for parents. There are three ABC models that serve children from birth through 4 years of age. ABC enhances parental sensitivity and has positive effects on children’s attachment, stress physiology, brain development, inhibitory control, DNA methylation, executive functioning, and vocabulary, extending at least through adolescence. ABC is one of the few home visiting programs approved by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services for its Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) program.  

In 2007, after initial randomized clinical trials, community agencies started implementing ABC. In 2012, the first full-time employee was hired to oversee implementation nationally and internationally. At that time, ABC was implemented in fewer than five states. Currently, ABC is implemented in 11 countries and 26 states, plus D.C. This past year alone, more than 200 parent coaches participated in ABC training and received weekly clinical and fidelity supervision.  

Infant and toddler years are critical for brain development. Every parent deserves a champion for their sensitive parenting, and every child deserves the foundation for a nurturing relationship. ABC Parenting is honored to partner with families and the community to provide evidence-based services across the country and around the world. 

To learn more about ABC, please visit our website: abcparenting.org.

ABC Parenting Institute

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