Exchange Parent Aide

The evidenced-based Exchange Parent Aide Model is a family home-visitation model. Parent Aides are trained, professionally supervised individuals (volunteer, professional or paraprofessional) who provide supportive and educational, in-home services to families at-risk of child abuse and neglect.

Exchange Parent Aides act as mentors and provide intensive support, information, and modeling of effective parenting -- all in the home of the family. Services are family centered and focus on:

• Child safety: Includes attention to medical, dental, or mental health care needs; safe housing; and freedom from child abuse, neglect, and domestic violence.
• Problem solving skills: Parent Aides assist parents in developing their abilities to resolve crisis and issues that arise (e.g. budget, housing, relationship issues). Through coaching, Parent Aides help parents recognize what may have led to the problem, identify steps to address it, and make referrals for more intensive assistance as needed.
• Parenting skills: Parenting skills are enhanced through information sharing and coaching on child developmental phases and effective discipline techniques.
• Social Support: All families need a variety of sources to turn to for support. The Parent Aide assists in identifying healthy and effective support systems for families, including friends, churches, and community organizations.

The Parent Aide relationship occurs through intensive and long term home visitation. Our ultimate goal is to replace patterns of abusive behavior with effective skills for nonviolent parenting. Continuity and consistency of service are key to success. The home visits occur one to two times per week and continue for at least one year. This regularity and frequency reflects best practice standards recognized nationally by parenting and home visitation service models.

Learn more about Exchange Parent Aide:

• Parent Aide Study Shows Positive Results - PDF download
• Exchange's Parent Aide Model
• Program Overview
• Implementation
• History
• Research and Evaluation
• Accreditation
• Credentialing