Parent CARE Project
Connection. Awareness. Resilience. Empowerment.
Closing the mental health gap for new parents who deserve better than survival mode
Parent CARE Project is an early parenthood support initiative that provides evidence-based tools, mental health literacy, local resources, and normalization around the challenges of early parenthood.
Why Parent CARE?
The transition into parenthood is one of the most intense periods of adulthood. In the U.S., an insurance-driven healthcare system, perinatal mental health infrastructure is largely absent, leaving a critical gap in parent mental health and support in early parenthood.
1 in 5 Moms or birthing parents
will experience a Perinatal Mental Health Disorder (PMHD)1 in 10 Dads
will experience Postpartum Anxiety or Depression*
* Postpartum Support International
Parents leave prenatal visits, labor & delivery units, and pediatric appointments with medical instructions for their child—but little to no guidance, information, or resources centered around parent wellbeing (inclusive of non-birthing parents). It's not because clinicians don't care, but because they are time-pressed, leaving the parent(s) to figure it out, many without a village of resources or support.
Parent wellbeing is imperative to infant and child health outcomes. We envision a world where every parent and caretaker is empowered with knowledge, resources, and meaningful support. Where parent mental healthcare is seen as an integrated part of infant/child health and development, not an unrelated afterthought.When a parent's needs are met, the entire family benefits
Practical support for parents—right where care already happens.
Parent CARE Project places evidence-based resources for pregnancy, postpartum, and early parenthood support directly into clinical and community spaces—OB practices, hospital discharge folders, adoption & surrogacy agencies, pediatric offices, and community centers & libraries.
Our Approach
We design simple, affirming resources & toolkits that help parents:+ Navigate adjustment to parenthood or family expansion+ Normalize the emotional, social and relational realities of this season+ Feel supported and empowered between appointmentsOur materials are intentionally brief & direct, inclusive, evidence-informed and designed to be practical and centered around parent wellbeing.Parent CARE materials direct parents to free resources, guides, local directories, and community programming aggregated by Parent CARE Project that offer continued support beyond the visit.
Ready to Offer Meaningful Parent Resources in Your Space?
Parent CARE resources live in waiting rooms, exam rooms, and community spaces—visibly affirming the importance of parent wellbeing at your practice and to the community you serve.Clinicians now have a tangible follow-up handout to offer parents practical support and mental health resources. Providing a Parent CARE resource handout after administering EPDS or PHQ-9 screening, signals meaningful support to your patients and families.Our resources provide local and national resources specific to parent mental health and support. Parent CARE Project also works with practices to develop specific resources and co-branded materials.
Maggie Nelsen, M.Ed., Founder
Maggie is an adult learning professional focused on early parenthood wellbeing. She founded Parent CARE Project to address critical gaps in perinatal and postpartum support and help ease the transition into parenthood and family expansion with practical, affirming, evidence-informed resources centered on parent health and wellbeing.
© Untitled. All rights reserved.