A National Movement
One program component of the National Exchange Club Foundation is the National Parent Aide Network.  Established by parent aides and parent aide supporters, NPAN supports the growth of parent aide programs nationwide, with a purpose to promote activities which strengthen families, offer support to parents and prevent child abuse and neglect.

NPAN supports a national network of parent aide programs while stimulating program development in communities currently not being served. NPAN serves as a clearinghouse for information; provides technical expertise regarding program and organizational issues and advocates for the needs and interests of parent aide programs on a national level.

If you are a parent aide and are interested in  joining a network of active, concerned people who share your commitment to children and families, become a member of NPAN today. Just contact us (be sure to mention you are a parent aide!) or call 800.760.3413 for an application form. Membership fees are: $10 for parent aide; $25 for individual; $50 for Organizational. If you know of a parent aide program we should know about, please use this form to help make our network even stronger!

What Are Parent Aides?
The key to success for each Exchange Club Child Abuse Prevention Centers and the National Exchange Club Foundation is the parent aide program. Parent aides are professionally trained individuals who become a friend and role model to parents who need help in dealing with life's daily challenges. Parent aides teach parents to be more loving and responsible to their children. They provide support and encouragement model normal ways of parent, provide genuine and caring friendships, focus on the good qualities of the parents, serve as an outside social control to stop abuse immediately, and address special needs of the family by referring them to community agencies when necessary.

Child protective workers, community professionals and parents recognize the effectiveness of the parent aide service model. As supportive, caring individuals, parent aides often make the critical difference in enabling parents to succeed.

How Do Families Benefit From Parent Aides?
Parent aides help parents learn to build their self-confidence, self-esteem and coping skills. Many parents benefit by understanding the developmental needs of their children, while learning how to manage their home environment more effectively. Parent aides also teach parents how to make social contacts and to use community resources.