Parent Encouragement Program (PEP)

Founded in 1982, PEP’s goal is for all children to have the opportunity to grow up in a supportive family environment where they can thrive, reach their full potential, and become contributing members of society. To achieve our vision, PEP provides parents and caregivers with resources, support and strategies that will help them build strong, harmonious family relationships. We help adults foster the values of mutual respect, shared responsibility, competence and cooperation in young people, preparing them to make positive contributions to their families, their communities and the world at large.

Since our founding, PEP has served over 50,000 parents and caregivers in the Washington metropolitan region and beyond. PEP’s programs are renowned and award-winning: in 2019, our two online master classes won Telly Awards (which honors excellence in video and television across all screens); our parenting articles have won awards from the Parent Media Association for the past several years; we are regularly called by journalists from the Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, and other media for commentary; and syndicated columnist Carolyn Hax has repeatedly recommended our programs to her readers, citing PEP most recently in March 2021. me environment.