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ABC: Nurturing, following, and delighting in children

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WELCOME TO THE ABC PARENTING INSTITUTE

Strengthening early parent-child relationships through evidence-based support

 

ABC (Attachment and Biobehavioral Catch-up) is a brief, evidence-based parenting program that helps caregivers build nurturing, responsive relationships with young children.

 

Developed over 25 years of research by Dr. Mary Dozier at the University of Delaware and tested in randomized clinical trials, ABC supports caregivers in strengthening everyday interactions that promote secure attachment and healthy child development, leading to positive developmental outcomes.

ABOUT

ABC

Our mission, vision, values

and implementation approach

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INVOLVED

Learn how you can
participate in ABC

ABC

RESEARCH

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supporting ABC

PARENT

COACHES

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a parent coach

About the ABC Program

What is ABC?

 

ABC is a home visiting parenting program designed for families with young children. Parent coaches work alongside caregivers to strengthen everyday interactions that support children’s ability to regulate emotions, develop secure relationships, and thrive in early development.

 

ABC focuses on helping caregivers:

 

  • Provide nurturance when children are distressed, frightened, hurt, or in need of comfort.

 

  • Follow the child’s lead with delight during play and interaction.

 

  • Reduce intrusive, frightening, or overwhelming behaviors that can interfere with children’s regulation and attachment security.

 

These core components are delivered through brief, structured sessions in the home or through telehealth formats.

Why ABC Works

 

ABC is grounded in developmental science and attachment theory and has been evaluated in multiple randomized controlled trials.

 

Research indicates ABC is associated with improvements in:

 

 

  • Stronger parent-child relationships

 

  • Greater child attachment security

 

  • Improved behavioral and physiological regulation

 

  • Better impulse control and self-regulation

 

  • Enhanced language and learning skills

 

  • Long-term improvements in brain development and well-being through adolescence

 

 

ABC has been implemented in diverse community settings and has demonstrated effectiveness when delivered by trained community-based parent coaches.

Who ABC Serves

 

ABC is designed for families with children in early development, with implementation across diverse communities and service systems.

 

We partner with:

 

 

  • Community-based agencies

 

  • Home visiting programs

 

  • Early childhood service providers

 

  • Behavioral health and infant mental health programs

 

  • Child welfare-involved service systems

Evidence & Recognition 

 

ABC is recognized by the MIECHV-Home Visiting Coalition, California Evidence-Based Clearing House for Child Welfare, and SAMHSA’s National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices, is a collaborating member of the National Alliance of Home Visiting Models, and is included in the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) Fact Sheet as a trauma-informed, evidence-based intervention. Additionally, ABC is now eligible for Title IV-E federal funding under the Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA), with ABC-Infant earning the highest rating of “Well-Supported” and ABC-Early Childhood receiving a rating of “Supported.”

“ABC completely supported and scaffolded me through my parenting journey. My child was fussy in the beginning and it made me so unsure about how to approach his unhappiness. My parent coach helped me so much in understanding nurturance and following the lead…genuinely helped me build a loving and fun relationship with my son. I am grateful to the program.”