How To Become A Certified New Parent Educator And Why It Might Be Right For You
If you have the patience and communication skills and drive to fill an important role in supporting new parents, a CAPPA Certified New Parent Educator (CNPE) could be your role. Have you ever wondered how to become a mentor for new parents? You don’t need to know everything about parenting to become a CNPE and work with parents in clinics, caregivers’ offices and private consulting settings. CAPPA CNPEs are respected, resourceful professionals, because of the education and support CAPPA training provides. Some of the most important qualities that a future CNPE should possess are the following: A strong desire to empower others, a commitment to professionalism, empathy for the struggles of new families and patience for different abilities in study of individuals.
CAPPA offers an exciting, interactive, effective training course that will enable you to become a trusted support person for new parents in your community. As a parent educator, you will be able to promote communication between your clients and their health care team, but you will not be a clinician. You will regularly offer appropriate referrals.
How to Become a Certified New Parent Educator
CAPPA offers five programs including a Certified New Parent Educator training class. As a CAPPA CNPE, you will not carry the same burden and professional responsibility that a medical professional must, but your responsibility will be great, and your value to your clients will be immeasurable.
To become a CAPPA Certified New Parent Educator, you must be at least 18 years old. All training courses require you to be a member of CAPPA. As a CAPPA member, you’ll have a network with immeasurable support and up-to-date resources. To achieve CNPE certification, you will need to attend a CAPPA New Parent Educator training class. During training, you will receive the CAPPA New Parent Educator Training Manual. After your class, you’ll have two years to complete the next certification steps.
You will enroll in CAPPA Academy’s Traditional New Parent Training Course. There you will need to pass the Scope of Practice Pretest. There will be videos to watch and information to read as assignments in CAPPA’s Understanding Your Newborn Booklet, Understanding Breastfeeding Booklet, and Mother & New Baby Care Booklet. You will create your own educational lesson and create your curriculum as a student teacher or in a video. You will need to obtain two letters of recommendation from professionals in our field and then complete the module assessment form.
Eventually, you will create a resource list with information on support groups for parents in your area. This will be an invaluable tool that you will use regularly, but you will do so with the help of CAPPA Academy. We will guide you through creating your resource list. CAPPA Academy will require you to agree to and sign a Code of Conduct, Social Media Policy, Grievance Policy, CAPPA Mission, CAPPA Approach, CAPPA Vision, and Scope of Practice. Finally, you will need to pass a multiple-choice test and an essay test.
Why Others Choose to Become a Certified New Parent Educator
Several CAPPA CNPEs have told us that they have always loved this new phase of parenthood and enjoy watching others experience this tremendous growth phase as well. Alternatively, some educators become involved so that they can give to others what they never had but wish to do. CNPEs come from a variety of backgrounds. Paraprofessionals in schools, nurse aides, doulas, grandmothers, aunts, early childhood professionals, parents with growing or adult children of their own, and people interested in sociology are often found in the ranks of Certified New Parent Educators, but there is no limit to who can become a CNPE if you have the effort, dedication and desire to help others.
Should You Become a Certified New Parent Educator?
CAPPA is known for its integrity and the academy’s desire to see those who complete their certifications succeed. Are you compassionate and caring? Do you have a way of communicating with people at whatever level they are learning? Are you a thoughtful person who is able to respect your own limits and the boundaries of the people around you? You may be the perfect candidate for the CAPPA Academy and we strive to provide you with all the tools and resources you will need to complete this training and be successful in this field.
CAPPA is highly respected for its commitment to excellence, offering unparalleled student and member support. Once you’ve decided to attend CAPPA Academy, we’ll help give you the confidence you’ll need to invest in your career, because we know how important your role is to your community.
