Parenting education professionals play a key role in supporting the well-being of families in ways that are culturally responsive and inclusive.
As a community of parenting education professionals, we offer opportunities for networking, training, and support, and promote the value of our practice.
OPEC Training Academy
Register for free virtual trainings hosted by OPEC, build a portfolio, and connect with other professionals online.
- See Upcoming Training Academy Workshops
- Log in to your OPEC Professional Development System account
Parenting Educator Conference
Each spring, OPEC hosts the annual Oregon Parenting Educators Conference. Parenting educators, home visitors, and other family support professionals are invited to present and to attend each year.
Connect with other professionals
- Connect with your local OPEC parenting Hub
- Join a Connect & Learn cohort (English and Spanish options available)
- Subscribe to the Parenting Educators Post, a monthly newsletter published by OPEC
About the OPEC Professional Development System
The OPEC Professional Development System is a free online system for parenting education professionals, maintained by OPEC. Here is where you can:
- Register for OPEC Training Academy workshops and events
- View past recordings and training resources
- Access your certificates and training hours for OPEC Trainings
- Apply for a parenting educator recognition award, and
- View the directory of other fellow professionals
For questions regarding your OPEC Professional Development Account, please contact [email protected]
Go to Professional Development System
Getting Started as a Parenting Educator
Access resources to develop your skills and knowledge as a parenting educator.
- Getting Started: A Guide for Parenting Educators
- Parenting Educator Core Knowledge & Skills
- Parenting Education Curricula and Fidelity
Essentials of Parenting Education Professional Practice self-paced course
In this free online course hosted on Canvas and created by OPEC and Oregon State University, students will learn the foundations of professional practice for parenting educators, including professional ethics, setting boundaries, addressing biases, and facilitation skills. This is a self-guided course in English with 7 modules and quizzes.
After completing the course, students can receive a certificate for four hours of training recognized by The Oregon Registry/The Oregon Home Visiting Workforce.
Enroll in Course in Canvas (Free Canvas account required, opens in new tab)
Read User Guide and FAQ for course
Additional Training Opportunities
Self-Paced
- Learning Decks by Division for Early Childhood
- Free! Trauma Informed Care Online Training Modules
- Free! Training and Resource Library by the Institute for Learning and Brain Sciences at the University of Washington (English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Somali)
- Free! Watch Me! Celebrating Milestones and Sharing Concerns from the CDC (English and Spanish)
Live classes
Articles
- Supporting LGBTQIA+ Families
- For Parenting Educators: Creating a Positive Environment (English) (español)
- For Parenting Educators: Connecting with the Community (English) (español)
- Can an educator show their Pride? Supporting LGBTQ+ families and professionals
Links & Partners
- Ages & Stages Questionnaires, Third Edition from the Oregon Screening Project
- Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University
- Resources for Professionals by ZERO TO THREE
- Act Early from the CDC (English and Spanish)
- Liberating Structures
- Simple Interactions Tool
Stay in Touch
We curate a monthly newsletter with new professional development trainings, resources, and opportunities for those interested in parenting education. Register below, or using this direct link: subscribe to the Parenting Educators Post
