The Parenting Center

THE PROBLEM

In 2023, Texas had 310,582 reports of child abuse or neglect, with 58,120 confirmed cases. This resulted in 173 deaths from child abuse, and 164 children dying from abuse and neglect overall.  During the past twelve months, 58,120 cases of child abuse/neglect were confirmed by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS). Of those state-wide confirmed cases of abuse and neglect, nearly 28% (over 16,000 total), occurred in the homes, backyards, and communities of our North Texas neighbors. In fact, Tarrant County has among the highest number of confirmed child abuse and neglect cases of any county in Texas.

 According to The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study conducted by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, child-abuse has an immediate and fundamental impact during one’s childhood and has further implications that the individual may experience as they mature. In adulthood, such abuse may result in improper brain development; impaired cognitive and socioemotional skills; language development; blindness; cerebral palsy from head trauma; higher risk for heart, lung and liver diseases; obesity; cancer; high blood pressure; high cholesterol; anxiety; smoking; and alcohol and drug abuse. In the absence of appropriate and preventive care, the implications of such of abuse is truly life-threating. 

 As the pervasiveness of child-abuse in Fort Worth and Tarrant County continues to adversely impact children in both their youth and as adults, the critical need for evidence based, trauma-informed, and ACEs-aware therapeutic solutions is apparent. Our Family Life Education and Clinical Counseling offerings not only helps to extend the lives of those we serve, but also creates opportunities for them to enjoy the improved wellbeing, thriving relationships, emotional healing and positive and healthy life experiences we believe everyone deserves. 

THE NEED

There is nothing like the joy a child creates. The laughter, special moments and lifetime memories that a child brings to a family are priceless. Yet for all the good times, there can be just as many challenging ones.

 At The Parenting Center, we understand and appreciate that every family can use a helping hand, regardless of education, socioeconomic status, or what the term “family” means.   We provide services to meet the ever-changing needs of children, teens, couples and families alike throughout that journey. We believe that creating confident, skilled, strong families directly strengthens a community.

 We work to end child abuse through better parenting. We help parents answer the life-shaping questions that children ask. We help young people navigate all that goes with the teenage years. We build and maintain strong families. Through classes, counseling and support programs, we give couples, parents, youth and children the necessary tools they need to succeed together. Our goal is to surround youth with the type of support we all want to have. We do this because we believe strong parents, individuals, youth and families are the center of a strong community.

THE SOLUTION - PARTNER WITH THE PARENTING CENTER

$20,000 provides 167 hours of play therapy to children who have experienced trauma.

$15,000 provides 333 hours of parent coaching to low-income families.

$10,000 provides 63 hours of co-parenting classes for families going through transition.

$5,000 provides 111 hours of parent education in Spanish.

$3,500 provides 30 hours of counseling for families who have experienced trauma.

$2,500 provides 56 hours of parenting classes for parents of children with special needs.

$1,500 provides 15 hours of expanded clinical services in our community.

$1,000 provides 40 education workshops designed to support families on how to manage behavioral and communication challenges. 

$500 provides 20 hours of family life education.

$250 provides parent transitions training for 5 families. 

$100 provides toys, games and art supplies used for play therapy. 

While we remain committed to our early established efforts to end child abuse and neglect in the homes and communities we serve, our program offerings have since evolved and can lead to the improved wellbeing, thriving relationships, emotional healing and positive and healthy life experiences we believe everyone deserves.

Through your partnership, our uninsured and underinsured Fort Worth and Tarrant County neighbors will be able to engage the clinical counseling, parent education and series of teen and couples workshops during their time of need - Partner with us today!

Thank you for being passionate. Thank you being committed. Thank you for supporting our life-changing work!