Parenting groups are run in 12-week cycles provided throughout Ocean County funded by the Department of Children and Families.

Topics discussed in Parenting Groups include but are not limited to the following:

• How to effectively discipline your child using the 1-2-3 Magic approach with follow up to support parents in changing their discipline techniques
• Infant and child safety issues are discussed regarding adequate supervision and neglect issues
• Age-appropriate behaviors and developmental stages are identified from newborn to 18 years old
• Responding and listening to children using positive feedback
• Improve communication skills with children and family members
• Parent self-esteem issues and fostering positive self-esteem in children
• The Keirsey Temperament Sorter is applied to parenting styles and helps parents to identify other personality types.  Parents are also taught to identify personality types within their own family unit to effectively  communicate and parent
• The Parenting Stress Index (PSI) is administered to group participants at the start of the 12-week cycle and given again at the completion of the course.  The PSI is used to determine parental understanding of appropriate child development and interaction with the children.  It also gives an indication of parental stress levels and if there may be tendencies to abuse or neglect children.  The results of the patenting Stress Index (PSI) are a self-report for the client’s perspective.

Age Groups	Adults
Community Services	Family & Support Services Parenting & Caregiving
Health Services	Behavioral / Mental Health Substance Use

Last Updated: 04/26/24