The leading cause of death among children under 4 in America is child abuse.
Child abuse prevention is a community responsibility.
- No one can do everything.
- No one parent.
- No one grandparent.
- No one teacher.
- No one neighbor.
- No one elected official.
- No one agency.
- No one individual.
But everyone can do something.
And together, we can do anything.
*Source: PreventChildAbuseTexas.org
Change a child’s life forever.
Everyone can learn to be a better parent!
Whether you’re single, married, or separated, a parent, a relative or guardian—if you’re the primary person caring for a child, ESCAPE has a class for you. Small groups and interactive teaching methods create a learning environment that fosters trust and growth—and most of our classes are free.
Our parenting classes in Houston
Our classes are taught throughout Houston by Masters level instructors who understand the stress and problems of raising a child. Parents learn the skills they need to create a safe, nurturing home environment. Thanks to the generosity of donors and community support, most of our classes are free in both English and Spanish.
Click on the name of a class to learn more about it—or you may call ESCAPE Family Resource Center to find out which one best suits your needs.
- Building Confident Families
- Building New Beginnings
- Families and Divorce
- Cablispanian
- Circle of Love
- Dads Count
- Exceptional Parenting
- Empowered to Motherhood—Descubriendo su Poder para el Rol Materno
- How to Speak to your Child Regarding Sexuality—Como Hablar de Sexualidad a sus Hijos
Building Confident Families
Building confident families is a family-focused skills program that focuses on strengthening the family by helping parents learn better ways to cope with stress, manage anger and discipline without punishment.
- Who may attend: One or all family members
- Length: Seven 2-hour sessions
- Cost: No fee
Building New Beginnings
This course was designed to strengthen families in the ongoing transitions during and after divorce. Parents meet with other parents, while children and teens work in groups divided by age. Family members reconvene at the end of each session to practice together the skills they have learned.
- Who may attend: Divorcing or divorced spouses (must register for separate program dates)
- Length: Six 90-minute sessions
- Cost: $140 per family
Families and Divorce*
Regardless of whose decision it is to divorce, one or both parents may feel as though they have no voice in the situation. This workshop helps parents and their children adjust to the anger and sadness divorce often stirs up.
- Who may attend: Divorcing or divorced spouses (must register for separate program dates) Children may accompany a parent at no cost.
- Length: One 4-hour workshop
- Cost: $40 per individual
*This workshop is mandated for individuals who have children and are divorcing in the state of Texas. We are the only court-approved program to offer classes for parents and their children as well as play care for infants and toddlers.
Cablispanian
Sometimes it’s hard to find just the right word to explain your family of origin. Golfer Tiger Woods coined the word “Cablinasian” to describe his cultural backgrounds (Caucasian, Black, Indian and Asian). ESCAPE has borrowed this word and modified it to include the Hispanic culture, which many Houstonians share. Cablispanian classes teach parents how to help children express ideas and feelings related to their culture and recognize the unique emotional and developmental stages of bi-cultural children. This class is offered in Spanish only.
- Who may attend: All family members
- Length: Seven 2-hour sessions
- Cost: No cost
Circle of Love
Many primary caregivers of children are not birth mothers and fathers but grandparents, aunts, uncles and other family members. Being given the responsibility of taking care of a relative’s children can initiate disagreements and arguments about what’s best for a child. Circle of Love addresses ways to handle stress, the challenges of relating to adult children, and family communication styles.
- Who may attend: Grandparents or relatives raising another relative's child(ren)
- Length: Seven 2-hour sessions
- Cost: No cost
Dads Count
Dads often feel they have no “say” in the way their children are raised and cared for. The stress, loneliness, and abandonment that fathers feel after being separated from their children can interfere with relationships and work. Dads Count helps fathers gain a better understanding of ways to help their children copr with the demands of living in two homes, learn what their role is as a dad, understand different parenting styles, and gain strategies of anger management when times get tough.
- Who may attend: Dads
- Length: Seven 90-minute sessions
- Cost: $135*
*Free of charge for dads who are directly referred by the Domestic Relations Office.
Exceptional Parenting
Statistics show that children with disabilities are more likely to experience recurrent abuse and neglect. Parents of children with physical or emotional differences may feel “ashamed of being ashamed.” This class helps parents learn how to grieve the loss of their dream of having a “perfect child,” how to celebrate the unique qualities of the child they have been given to parent, how to plan for challenges, and ways to teach children to be their own advocates.
- Who may attend: Anyone who is raising a child with a disability
- Length: Seven 2-hour sessions
- Cost: No cost
Empowered to Motherhood -- Descubiendo su Poder para el Rol Matero
Empowered for motherhood is ESCAPE’s newest initiative. This innovative self-improvement program provides women with a wide range of opportunities to explore personal growth and development. Participants learn to encourage and challenge themselves as they take critical steps in the personal journey towards establishing more productive and rewarding lives, such as the entrance into motherhood. Currently, this class is only offered in Spanish.
- Who may attend: Women
- Length: Seven 2-hour sessions
- Cost: No cost
How to Speak to your Child Regarding Sexuality -- Como Hablar de Sexualidad a sus Hijos
This new program provides families with essential information about sexuality and effective strategies to prevent child sexual abuse. Parents learn how to introduce sexual health information to children at various age and developmental levels. The program teaches parents and children how to communicate effectively about topics such as male and female reproductive organs, pregnancy, STD’s, HIV/AIDS, and related issues. Currently, this class is only offered in Spanish.
- Who may attend: All family members
- Length: Seven 2-hour sessions
- Cost: No cost
To participate in any upcoming class, you must first register with ESCAPE.
Call us at (713) 942-9500.
The most important thing I learned in this class is to value my family, especially my son. I’m very proud of him. I give many thanks to all who make these programs possible.
What our
graduates say