17 Professionals Across the Country to Become Facilitators of the “Mellow Parenting” Parenting Education Programme

Seventeen specialists from 10 Territorial Social Assistance Structures (Ungheni, Călărași, Orhei, Rezina, Șoldănești, Telenești, Fălești, Sîngerei and Glodeni), representing the Territorial Social Assistance Agencies (ATAS) North–West, Centre–West and Centre–East, will become facilitators of the “Mellow Parenting” Parenting Education Programme. With the support of UNICEF, during the period of 19–20 September and 4 October of the current year, representatives of the three ATAS will strengthen the competencies required to implement the programme in their communities.

In her welcoming remarks, Irina Spivacenco, Project Coordinator at Partnerships for Every Child (P4EC), highlighted that national public policies in the field of child protection set clear objectives and priorities for the development and strengthening of services and programmes aimed at family strengthening and the reduction of violence against children. Among the essential initiatives supporting these efforts is the “Mellow Parenting” Parenting Education Programme. The programme supports families in developing strong, non-violent and affectionate relationships with their children, based on communication and mutual respect. By participating in this programme, parents become more confident, patient, open and communicative, less depressed, and improve their relationships with their children, stated Ms. Spivacenco.

The training workshop is organized within the project “Every Girl and Boy Is Protected and Empowered to Realize Their Potential with Dignity”, funded by UNICEF and implemented by the Partnerships for Every Child, in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection and the Territorial Social Assistance Agencies (ATAS) North–West, Centre–West and Centre–East.

________________________________________________________________________________________________

The “Mellow Parenting” Parenting Education Programme consists of 14 group sessions and aims to support parents in developing parenting skills at different stages of a child’s development, starting from the prenatal period through preschool age. The programme is based on attachment theory, social learning theory and cognitive behavioural theory. “Mellow Parenting” was adapted from the United Kingdom and launched in the Republic of Moldova in 2016, being evidence-based and grounded in trauma-informed approaches. To date, over 30 practitioners have been trained and accredited in Mellow Parenting and have facilitated groups for approximately 350 parent–child dyads across 12 districts of the country and the municipality of Chisinau.