The ACT Parents Raising Safe Kids program is an anti-violence, research-based prevention program that focuses on adults who raise, care, and teach children ages 0 to 8 years old.

The program, from the American Psychological Association, is designed to educate communities and families to create safe, healthy environments that protect children and youth from violence.

Key Components of the Program

• Partnerships with community-based organizations, agencies, coalitions, colleges, hospitals, and churches.
• Train-the-trainer model to prepare professionals to disseminate research-based knowledge and skills to adults.
• Sensitivity to different cultures and backgrounds.
• Importance of evaluation as a tool to assess the impact of the program and to guide program improvement as well.

The Curriculum

The ACT program research-based curriculum is designed to help families and caregivers from all types of backgrounds raise children without violence by learning:

• basic information on child development;
• about risk factors for violence and the consequences;
• protective factors and skills for effective parenting, such as realistic expectations of children, peaceful conflict resolution, discipline, and media violence education; and
• about participating in the community’s efforts on prevention.

Settings for the Program

ACT can be implemented in diverse settings including childcare centers, family support organizations, hospitals, public libraries, churches, prisons, adult education centers, schools, community agencies, and shelters.