Raising Happy Children (RHC)
About This Program
Target Population: Any parent, but especially high-risk families such as families in the Head Start programs, parents involved with Child Protective Services, grandparents raising grandchildren, adoptive/foster parents, and stepparents
Program Overview
RHC consists of 1) parenting classes available online or on DVD, 2) outlines to help parents follow the lecture, and 3) optional telephone consultations are available for parents who want one-on-one help with their particular situation.
RHC parenting classes are designed for any parent, anywhere. Any parent can easily access the classes via DVD or Internet from home or office. The classes also work especially well for parents who have difficulty reading, as very little reading is required. Parents hear a lecture and follow a PowerPoint presentation. The parenting concepts taught are effective, yet simple and easy to apply, even for parents with lower intelligence or education. RHC classes are also convenient for fathers and working mothers, as the classes are available any time of day or night. Online quizzes ensure that parents actually completed the classes and learned the concepts.
Family courts may mandate parents to take RHC classes in cases of child protection, juvenile probation, and divorce or custody suits. Certificates of Completion are available for court or other agencies.
There are seven classes in the RHC series. Each is about one hour and 15 minutes in length. The first class pertains to parents of any aged children. Classes 2-4 are designed for parents of 2-12 year olds, classes 5-7 for parents of 12-18 year olds.
Program Goals
The goals of Raising Happy Children (RHC) are:
- Increase parent-child attachment and nurturing
- Increase accurate parental knowledge of child development
- Increase parental knowledge of age-appropriate child behavior
- Increase parental knowledge of and use of positive, effective discipline techniques that maintain or improve the parent child relationship
- Increase parental involvement and influence in their children's and teen's lives
- Decrease family arguing and conflict
- Decrease behavior problems
- Decrease incidence of disciplining while angry
Logic Model
The program representative did not provide information about a Logic Model for Raising Happy Children (RHC).
Essential Components
The essential components of Raising Happy Children (RHC) include:
- Audio/visual parenting classes available online or on DVD
- Classes involve hearing a lecture and watching a PowerPoint presentation
- Class outlines help parents follow the lecture and remember information covered
- Quizzes ensure class completion and understanding of concepts taught
- Certificates of Completion available for courts or other child welfare agencies
- Classes can be completed individually by parents at home
- Agencies may offer the classes to groups of parents. Professionals or paraprofessionals may show the DVD to parents and use the online quizzes
- Telephone Consultations are available for parents who want personalized help
Program Delivery
Parent/Caregiver Services
Raising Happy Children (RHC) directly provides services to parents/caregivers and addresses the following:
- Illiterate, low intelligence, have children with behavior problems
Recommended Intensity:
75 to 90-minute weekly sessions
Recommended Duration:
4 – 7 weeks depending on age of the child
Delivery Settings
This program is typically conducted in a(n):
- Birth Family Home
- Community-based Agency / Organization / Provider
- School Setting (Including: Day Care, Day Treatment Programs, etc.)
Homework
Raising Happy Children (RHC) includes a homework component:
Homework is suggested at the end of each class. It involves practicing and implementing the parenting and nurturing techniques taught.
Resources Needed to Run Program
The typical resources for implementing the program are:
Computer and projector, Paraprofessional, Classroom large enough for the number of participants
Manuals and Training
Prerequisite/Minimum Provider Qualifications
The classes are complete and do not require a provider to take them. A professional or paraprofessional (Associates degree or higher level degree) could show the class and facilitate discussion afterwards.
Manual Information
There is not a manual that describes how to deliver this program.
Training Information
There is training available for this program.
Training Contact:
- Nathalie Kretzmann, MS
nathaliekretzmann@gmail.com
phone: (208) 983-1620
Training Type/Location:
Via phone
Number of days/hours:
1-2 hours
Relevant Published, Peer-Reviewed Research
Currently, there are no published, peer-reviewed research studies for Raising Happy Children (RHC).
Additional References
No reference materials are currently available for Raising Happy Children (RHC).
Contact Information
- Nathalie Kretzmann, MS
- Agency/Affiliation: Kretzmann Family Consulting
- Website: parentingonline.org/classes.html
- Email: nathaliekretzmann@gmail.com
- Phone: (208) 983-1620
- Fax: (208) 983-2448
Date Research Evidence Last Reviewed by CEBC: March 2016
Date Program Content Last Reviewed by Program Staff: May 2018
Date Program Originally Loaded onto CEBC: May 2016
