Families are struggling under the crushing weight of economic instability, systemic inequities, and a mental health crisis spiraling out of control. It is the silent suffering of a child who feels unseen, the despair of a parent who longs to do better but lacks support, and the generational cycle of trauma that continues when healing remains out of reach.
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are not just personal hardships; they are a national emergency, stripping millions of children of their innocence, security, and future. Many of these children grow into adults—now parents themselves—who may not have the tools, support, or readiness to process their own trauma. Some deny it, some mask it, and others struggle silently, unsure of how to break the cycle. Healing is not one-size-fits-all; every journey matters, and every path to processing trauma is valid. The financial toll on the U.S. is staggering—an estimated $14.1 trillion annually, including $183 billion in direct medical costs and $13.9 trillion in lost healthy life years (JAMA, 2023). But beyond the numbers, the true cost is immeasurable. Behind every statistic are real families—exhausted parents, overwhelmed caregivers, and children ARE growing up in a world that feels increasingly uncertain and unsafe.
Despite This, Parenting Remains Undervalued, Unsupported, and Unstructured
Parenting is the single most influential factor in a child’s well-being—yet it is often treated as an afterthought. Parents are expected to raise resilient, healthy children while being given few tools, little financial support, and no recognition for their vital role in shaping the next generation. Unlike other essential careers, parenting lacks the wages, benefits, training, and structure necessary to succeed. If we continue down this path, the costs—both human and economic—will only rise.
This is why the Professionalizing Parenting Initiative and Podcast is not just timely—it is essential. Research shows that reducing ACEs by even 10% leads to substantial economic savings and societal benefits. By professionalizing parenting—through fair wages, social security, retirement benefits, and training—we can disrupt the cycle of trauma, alleviate pressure on public systems, and create a healthier, more resilient society.
A Pilot Project to Prove the Model
We recognize that professionalizing parenting is a process, not an overnight policy shift. To begin, we will develop a pilot project that represents diverse communities across the country.
🔹 Four pilot sites will be established in partnership with nature-based nonprofits, integrating animals into the program.
🔹 Nature-based interventions have been shown to improve mental health, reduce stress, and enhance well-being—especially for individuals with Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs).
🔹 By embedding parenting support within these settings, we can evaluate the real-world benefits of professionalizing parenting while simultaneously leveraging the healing power of nature.
🔹We will establish a citizen scientists academy – the people living the data to design, study, interpret and report on the findings of the pilot.
Expected Outcomes from the Pilot
🔹 Fair compensation for parents—ensuring they receive wages and financial stability while performing the essential work of parenting.
🔹 Hands-on training in trauma-informed parenting—empowering parents with the knowledge and skills to break cycles of adversity.
🔹 Mental health benefits for parents and children—leveraging nature-based interventions to improve emotional regulation, reduce stress, and build resilience.
🔹 Community integration—strengthening family units while building networks of support among parents, caregivers, and professionals.
🔹 Long-term economic benefits—demonstrating how investing in parents reduces long-term costs in healthcare, social services, and criminal justice.
This Is Not a Partisan Issue—It’s a Human Issue
This movement transcends political, religious, and ideological divides—it is about something bigger than all of us: the well-being of our children and the future of our communities. Regardless of background or belief, we can all agree that strong families create strong societies.
The Professionalizing Parenting Initiative (Podcast and Substack) is a call to action. Through collaboration with parents and caregivers, professionals across health, education, and social services, policymakers and advocates, researchers and academics, funders and philanthropists, grassroots leaders and community organizations, artists and cultural influencers, and media and storytellers, this initiative seeks to build a sustainable, structured system that prioritizes and invests in parenting as the unseen career it truly is. The time to act is now.
