What is the Parent Leadership Network?
Who can join the Parent Leadership Network?
How do I become a member?
Who is a Parent Leader?
What is Shared Leadership?
What are some examples of Shared Leadership?
Where can I get training on Shared Leadership & Parent Leadership?
What is the National Parent Leadership Team?
What is Parents Anonymous^®Inc.?
What are Parents Anonymous^®Groups?
What is National Parent Leadership Month?

1) What is the Parent Leadership Network?
The Parent Leadership Network is an online community for parents (and anyone in a parenting role) to connect with each other, and with professionals, to share their leadership skills, opportunities, questions, ideas, and more! It was created by the National Parent Leadership Team^® and is hosted by Parents Anonymous^® Inc.
Learn more here.

2) Who can join the Parent Leadership Network?

3) How do I become a Member?
It’s easy! Sign up for our email list here to receive updates and newsletters from the Parent Leadership Network and the National Parent Leadership Team and/or go to Facebook and join the Parent Leadership Network group.

4) Who is a Parent Leader?
They’re all around us! Since you’re here, you either are one, know one, or are on your way to becoming one. Parent leaders are parents who take active roles to better their family or community, who use their skills to serve in meaningful leadership roles and who represent the “parent voice” to help shape the direction of families, programs or communities. A parent leader may be a PTA member, serve on a community task force or board of directors, speak to a school board, or be involved in other aspects of planning, and development.

5) What is Shared Leadership?
Shared Leadership is building effective partnerships among parents, staff and community members and sharing responsibility, expertise and leadership in areas that affect families and communities. Opportunities for Shared Leadership are everywhere. To make positive changes, think creatively and move beyond traditional and limited roles for Parent Leaders and staff.

6) What are some examples of Shared Leadership?

Examples from past National Parent Leadership Team^® members:

Arthur Hernandez says, “With the support and training provided by Parents Anonymous^® Inc., I am helping others take on leadership roles. I have held the following leadership roles:

Jill Gentry states, “Being a Parent Leader has been a wonderful life-altering adventure. I am thankful to those people who saw my potential when I didn't and gave me opportunities to learn and grow in leadership roles. Through leadership, I have gained knowledge, confidence, self-esteem and experience. The benefits have been endless. My greatest accomplishment is the modeling I do for my family. They have all seen the changes and growth in me that have been ongoing for over a decade. My children know and trust that I will always be here to advocate for them and, they in turn, are learning to use their own voices and face their own challenges.  They've learned that they too can set goals and accomplish them. I am also passionate about promoting shared leadership. I know that the parent perspective is a vital component for strengthening services and programs that impact families. I want to help other parents to be empowered and share in the many benefits of leadership. It's an exciting process. Being a Parent Leader is more than something that I do, it is part of who I am. Some of my leadership roles include:

7) Where can I receive training on Shared Leadership and Parent Leadership?
Parents Anonymous^® Inc. has an effective training model, Shared Leadership in Action. This innovative training model requires training teams that consist of both parents and staff. Parents Anonymous^® Inc. staff and Parent Leaders provide this training throughout the country for parents and staff at schools, family support programs, child welfare agencies and other organizations interested in expanding their capacity to partner with parents in meaningful activities. Check the Parents Anonymous^® Inc. web site, www.parentsanonymous.org, for additional information.

8) What is the National Parent Leadership Team^®?
The National Parent Leadership Team^® is a national organizational unit that ensures that parents share leadership with staff in all policy and program decisions related to Parents Anonymous^® Inc. The National Parent Leadership Team^® was developed in 1994 from a vision inspired by Parents Anonymous^® Inc.'s commitment to parent leadership and shared leadership. The Team is composed of a diverse group of mothers, fathers and grandparents who demonstrated leadership in their local Parents Anonymous^® Programs and organizations and represent the broad ethnic, cultural and geographic diversity of Parents Anonymous^® throughout the country. Each member is nominated for a three-year term by their local Parents Anonymous^® organization. For more information, check out Who Are We?

9) What is Parents Anonymous^® Inc.?
Parents Anonymous^® Inc. is an international family strengthening organization which leads a dynamic Network of accredited organizations and local affiliates that implement quality, proven effective Parents Anonymous^® Programs for adults and children. Parents Anonymous^® Inc. was founded in 1969 in shared leadership by a courageous parent who sought help to create a safe and caring home for her family and her social worker.   Working in partnership with her social worker, they launched a unique solution for parents who wanted to strengthen their families – the Parents Anonymous^® Group based on shared leadership. From its beginnings, Parents Anonymous^® Inc. has demonstrated the effectiveness of engaging parents in meaningful leadership roles to ensure better outcomes for families. For more information about Parents Anonymous^® Inc., check out Who Are We? or visit www.parentsanonymous.org.

10) What are Parents Anonymous^® groups and how can I find one in my community?
From our beginnings, Parents Anonymous^® Groups have created a safe supportive, therapeutic environment for parents to make life-long changes for themselves and their children. Parents Anonymous^® Groups incorporate Parents Anonymous^® Principles of Shared Leadership, Mutual Support, Parent Leadership and Personal Growth. Weekly groups are offered free of charge to participants. While the parents are meeting, and their children attend Parents Anonymous^® Children/Youth Programs offered at the same time. A new National Outcome Study, conducted by the National Council on Crime and Delinquency, and funded by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, U.S. Department of Justice, demonstrates that Parents Anonymous^® is an evidence-based program that prevents child abuse and neglect. To locate a Parents Anonymous^® Group near you, visit the Parents Anonymous^® Inc. web site and click on Programs and Network.

11) What is National Parent Leadership Month?
National Parent Leadership Month is held in February each year. It was created by Parents Anonymous^® Inc. in 2004 and national, state and local organizations and federal agencies participate as co-sponsors. This major initiative includes activities to recognize, honor and celebrate parents for their leadership roles in their homes and communities. National Parent Leadership Month highlights the many opportunities available for parents, professionals, policymakers and other community members to engage in partnerships with the goal of building and supporting strong, safe families.

Parents Anonymous^® Inc. and its co-sponsors work in partnership with public and private organizations such as social services, education, juvenile justice, childcare, mental health, health, businesses and policymakers to promote National Parent Leadership Month in communities all around the world to:

Download the National Parent Leadership Month Tool Kit