Programs
To learn more about a program, click on its link at left.
History of Services
- Family Directions of Iowa as Parents Anonymous® of
Iowa, Inc. has a 30-year history of successfully providing
Parents Anonymous® Programs. The
organization’s history reflects the grassroots movement
that helped spread Parents Anonymous® programs throughout
the country. In 1976, a committed community volunteer,
Louise Augustine, partnered with her good friend and community
advocate, Audrey Bibbins, to initiate the first Parents
Anonymous® program located in central
Iowa. Strong support within the community helped to sustain
the program through volunteers and the efforts of those
who recognized the need for communities to stand along
with parents and families and help them in their efforts
to reach their goals. Community involvement and participation
quickly grew and the program gained strength in its concept
of parent participation and leadership.
- As an
exemplary example of volunteer-managed and supported community-based
child abuse prevention programs, Parents Anonymous® of
Iowa operated for almost 15 years as an all-volunteer working
board and continued to provide Parents Anonymous® Programs.
In 1990, Parents Anonymous® of Iowa, Inc. formed its
first initial non-profit corporation. The corporation continued
to grow, but was still directed and organized through volunteer
efforts. Many of those volunteers held professional positions
in the community then, as they do today.
- In 1996,
Parents Anonymous® of Iowa became
a program of Children and Families of Iowa. Based on increased
referrals and the knowledge that more and more families
needed Parents Anonymous® services, this decision allowed
for greater organizational support for the Parents Anonymous® Program
at that time.
- In 2002, Parents Anonymous® of Iowa, under the
direction and recommendation of their Advisory Board, reincorporated
as Parents Anonymous® of Iowa, Inc. and regained its
organizational non-profit status and appointed a new Board
of Directors.
- In
2004, Parents Anonymous® of Iowa implemented “The
Parenting Way”, a succession of parenting classes
offered to meet the needs of parents and community in building
strong parental competencies and strengthening family relationships.
- In
2006, the Board of Directors of Parents Anonymous® of
Iowa voted to create a new umbrella organization, Family
Directions of Iowa, Inc. that would provide Parents Anonymous® Programs and The Parenting Way parent education classes.
The new agency would also be in a position to add additional
program services under the umbrella of Family Directions
of Iowa.
- In 2006, In Home Parent Education Services were added for families with
children ages 0 to 5.
- In 2007, Family Directions of Iowa, Inc.
will be adding a Parent Leader Training Component, which
will be offered to other organizations interested in learning
parent leadership concepts and techniques.
