The original Family Foundations program was a series of 8 or 9 classes for first-time, expecting couples.   We have developed several different versions of the in-person classes for a variety of families.  After testing in a randomized trial, we recently made available the self-study, online version that you can access on this website. In this online version, just like the classes, the experience is interactive and varied: Narrators present some information, video vignettes depict other families, ‘written’ online exercises are presented, you are asked to pause and engage skill building exercises with your partner or briefly discuss a question. We suggest you do a Step every few days to a week, in order to give the material time to ‘live’ in your relationship and family. There are also brief and practical “homework” assignments between the Steps.

The enrollment fee per couple for the online, self-study version is $25.  After enrolling online, your account will be active for one year so that you can revisit Steps and materials for a refresher at any point.

Yes. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic began, we have paused in-person classes around the country.  But you can now join a small group of other expectant parents in an online class, held via Zoom, regardless of where you live.   Couples have reported being highly satisfied with this approach.  Although there are certainly benefits to being in a class and hearing how other couples experience the material, you can also hire a trained facilitator to provide the classes on a private basis. If you are interested in group or private online Family Foundations classes, please contact us for more information at [email protected]

All families are different, but Family Foundations was designed for a wide range of families, and there is strong evidence to show that Family Foundations works for families with diverse backgrounds, resources, values.

Benefits of the program have been assessed in different randomized trials at different ages. In the longest-running trial, benefits were assessed several times between the time children were 6 months-old and 7 years-old. Positive results were found at each point in time.

Unlike most programs, books, or other materials available for you to use at home, the Family Foundations program has been researched and proven to actually benefit children and families. The program is split into two parts: The prenatal part will give you an opportunity to learn about and practice tools and strategies before your baby arrives. The postnatal part will sharpen and extend your skills as you put them into practice.

Family Foundations is designed for couples to do together. If you are not in a romantic relationship, but plan to raise your child with the support of someone else–the other parent, a new romantic partner, your own mother or father–the two of you can use this program and benefit from it. You do not need to be living together, married, or in a relationship. The more closely you intend to work together in parenting and childrearing, the more benefit you will derive from the program. And, if another adult steps into the parenting role with you at some point in the future–a new partner or friend–you will have developed a foundation of understanding and skills for working closely and supportively together that you can share with the other person.

Yes, if you have just had a baby, Family Foundations is very relevant. If you have had a child or children for a few years now, some of the material about becoming a parent may not be new to you. Still,you may come to understand your experience in a new way. And more importantly, the sets of skills and tools in Family Foundations can be used by any parent. In the future, we will offer a version of the program for parents who already have children. But, for now, you are welcome to use this version if you have children with the understanding that some of the material about becoming parents and infancy may not be highly relevant.