Child and Family Wellness

Courses for Parents, Resource Parents, Family Members & Caregivers

By enrolling in NOCE’s online or hybrid Child and Family wellness classes, parents and others gain critical insight into children’s behavior and how to respond. Also known as Building Trauma-Informed Communities (BTIC) classes, Child and Family wellness courses explore how past or current adversity affect parents, too. Classes are for adults who have babies, young children, adolescents, teens, and/or adult children in their lives.

NOCE Child and Family Wellness Courses

Parents and other adults enrolled in Child Wellness/BTIC courses learn to nurture hope and help children build skills that reduce the negative effects of adversity. Students also learn ways to care for themselves and children in the best possible ways.

Child and Family Wellness course overview:

• Short-term, non-credit courses
• 6 weeks to finish each class
• Classes start at various dates throughout the Fall and Spring
• Tuition-free
• Online classes are flexible, without scheduled meeting times (asynchronous)
• Hybrid classes include both weekly meetings in-person and online learning activities

Child Wellness Course Descriptions and Achievement Award Criteria

• Connected Parenting (PARN 102)

  PARN 102

  With focus on strengthening caregiver-child connections, essential methods in helping children regulate their emotions,
  improving feelings of safety and security, and decreasing challenging behaviors, this course provides simple, research-based techniques for every parent who wants to build a life-long positive relationship with their child.
• Connected Parenting: Early Childhood and Infancy (PARN 301)

  PARN 301

  This course assists parents and caregivers in learning the importance of connection (attachment and bonding) as the building blocks to infant/early childhood social emotional and cognitive development. The focus is on exploring ways parents and caregivers can provide responsive and attuned care while increasing lifelong resilience for their children.
• Understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences – ACEs (PARN 300)

  PARN 300

  Learn about the effects of childhood adversity, toxic stress, and the impact on health and well-being. Explore methods to help address your personal history so you can provide attuned, nurturing care. Effects of early trauma can be prevented or reversed through healthy relationships. Learn how to promote wellbeing and resilience in children and ourselves.
• Foster, Kinship, and Adoptive Families (PARN 302)

  PARN 302

  This course is created for foster, adoptive and kinship parents to assist in learning the importance of connection (attachment and bonding) as the building blocks to social-emotional and cognitive development. The focus is on exploring ways parents can provide responsive and attuned care while increasing lifelong resilience for children.
• Strengthening Families (PARN 303)

  PARN 303

  Discover the characteristics needed for healthy environments and relationships in the home while recognizing the uniqueness of each family dynamic. Learn the importance of caring for yourself while also providing the stability needed to meet the physical and emotional needs of the children in your life.
• Mental Wellness in the Home (PARN 304)

  PARN 304

  Get an overview on mental health to have more awareness and understanding. Explore factors that influence mental health at home, protective measures, and skills needed to aid in healthy coping and regulation strategies for family members and youth in the community. Help make vibrant, healthy communities a priority.
• Effects of Trauma on LGBTQ+ Youth (PARN 305)

  PARN 305

  Improve your understanding of LGBTQ+ people, terminology, and stressors/traumas that potentially impact youth. Gain insights that advance your awareness of the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ youth. Learn to use simple tools to break down barriers and build safety and well-being for everyone.
• Safeguarding Vulnerable Populations (PARN 306)

  PARN 306

  Learn about human trafficking from the perspectives of those working in the anti-trafficking movement. Increase awareness in your home, school, and community. To aid in prevention and protection of youth who experience social media and other influences, explore definitions, risk factors, and build skills to spot red flags, prevent trauma, and aid youth.  The prevalence of trafficking in Orange County is presented. This is a difficult issue, but solutions are within reach.
• Internet Safety and Awareness (PARN 307)

  PARN 307

  Gain awareness and understanding of the online world and how it works. The benefits and risks associated with the Internet will be explored along with the tools needed to help children stay safe while they engage in technology use.
• Understanding Addictive Behaviors

  PARN 308

  Increase understanding and awareness about addiction and how it impacts individuals and families. Definitions of addiction are explored, as well as the connection between trauma and addiction. Students explore the importance of connection and relationship as a preventative and protective measure.  
• Why take Child and Family Wellness/BTIC classes?

  Adults learn how to help children through changes and challenges that life can bring throughout a child’s life.  By learning about important topics with resources and information rooted in science, including pyschology and child development, parents expand their understanding of the many factors that influence their own behavior and their children’s behavior. Parents can prepare for challenges that may lie ahead, and be ready to respond to their children or other children’s needs in years ahead.

  Students who enroll in these classes also join a vibrant group of dads, moms, grandparents, aunties, uncles, resource families, and a range of professionals to become members of a trauma-informed community. 
• Achievement Award in Parenting: Child Wellness/Building Trauma-Informed Communities (BTIC)
  A Parenting Program achievement award can be earned by passing four total courses in the Building Trauma-Informed Communities/Child Wellness track, including one required fundamental course:

   

  PARN 300: Understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences (required)

   

  Plus, the student’s choice of three more courses from these options:

   

  PARN 301: Connected Parenting: Early Childhood and Infancy

   

  PARN 302: Foster, Kinship, and Adoptive Families

   

  PARN 303: Strengthening Families

   

  PARN 304: Mental Wellness in the Home

   

  PARN 305: Effects of Trauma on LGBTQ+ Youth

   

  PARN 306: Safeguarding Vulnerable Populations

   

  PARN 307: Internet Safety and Awareness

   

  PARN 308: Understanding Addictive Behaviors

   

  NOCE hosts a special event in May every year during which students who earned a student success award can celebrate their achievements with family and friends during a public ceremony.

NOCE’s Parenting courses are for all adults who love and support children of any age.