Parenthood can be one of the toughest journeys to start—in part because there’s no easy rule book to guide you along the way. But one of the most valuable skills you can use as a parent is finding and using resources to help you and your family stay resilient. DoD’s Office of Military Community and Family Policy has partnered with the Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness at Penn State to develop the Thrive Initiative parenting and wellness programs especially for military families.
The Thrive Initiative is a series of programs designed to empower parents and caregivers as they nurture children from pregnancy until they leave the nest. The Initiative includes a series of face-to-face and online parenting programs, other online resources, and interactive learning sections to meet families where they are. The Thrive Initiative programs are owned by the federal government, and the online universal programs are available at no cost to military and civilian families.
Take Root (0–3 years). Having a baby is exciting, yet parenting an infant can also be confusing and stressful. Take Root is an online universal parenting program that contains three age tracks and serves to support parents from pregnancy through the first 3 years of their child’s life.
Sprout (3–5 years). This developmental period comes with many parenting joys and challenges. Sprout is available online and supports parents as they foster their preschool child’s development and resiliency.
Grow (5–10 years). The Grow program provides positive parenting techniques, stress management strategies, and health promotion skills that parents can use to help children be happy and healthy. Grow is offered online and in person.
Branch Out (10–18 years). Tweens and teens need their parents’ attention and support more than ever. With so many changes and transitions happening during adolescence, this phase of life is a time of excitement and anxiety for kids and their parents. Currently in development, Branch Out will support mothers and fathers in their parenting roles as they nurture their children from childhood to adulthood.
In addition to the universal parenting programs, Thrive is developing programs for at-risk and high-needs families too.
Take Root Home Visitation. An evidence-based prevention program, Take Root targets military families at risk for maltreatment. Specialists visit homes to help educate parents and caregivers of infants and children ages 0–3.
Grow Selective. Currently in its initial development phase, Grow Selective will serve high-needs families with children ages 5–10. The program will be available in a face-to-face format.
To learn more about the Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness, visit https://militaryfamilies.psu.edu.
---------- About the Author ----------
Sarah Steward, of the Henry M. Jackson Foundation, is a Social Health Scientist for the Consortium for Health and Military Performance (CHAMP) at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS).
* The opinions and assertions expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of USUHS or DoD. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, or policies of The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc. Mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. The author has no financial interests or relationships to disclose.
