For infants (age 0-2) and their parents.  A universal prevention program developed in collaboration with childbirth educators to enhance coparenting quality among couples who are expecting their first child. The program consists of four prenatal and four postnatal sessions, run once a week, with each two-hour session administered to groups of 6-10 couples. Sessions are led by a trained male-female team and follow the Family Foundations curriculum. Female leaders are childbirth educators and male leaders are from various backgrounds but experienced in working with families and leading groups. Ongoing observation of sessions facilitates regular supervision discussions. This program focuses on coparenting and the coparenting relationship, rather than other romantic relationship or parenting qualities. In assisting parents to work together supportively, the program content covers emotional self-management, conflict management, problem solving, communication, and mutual support strategies. Parenting strategies include an understanding of temperament, fostering children’s self-regulation, and promoting attachment security. The four prenatal classes introduce the couple to themes and skills, and the four postnatal classes revisit the themes once the couple has experienced life as parents and coparents. The delivery is psychoeducational and skills-based, with didactic presentations, couple communication exercises, written worksheets, videotaped vignettes of other families, and group discussion. 

Focus Population
Parents, Children
Target Problems or Risk Factors
General Risk
Level of Intervention
Universal
Settings in Which Program Can Be Delivered
Community, Medical or Health Setting, including residential treatment centers, Virtual/Online
Latinos in Participant Samples
Yes - Minimal (≤15%), No Information
Type of Program
Generic
Registry
Blueprints
Strength of Evidentiary Support
1-Star (⭐) Blueprints
Cost of the Program
Yes
Availability of the program in Spanish and/or Portuguese
No Information
Contact Information
Mark E. Feinberg
Prevention Research Center
Pennsylvania State University
S-109 Henderson Building
University Park, 16802
Email: mef11@psu.edu