Resources For Researchers & Policymakers that focus on ADV prevention and healthy youth relationships

At ConnectED Parents, we hear it from people who work with caregivers all the time: “Parents are overwhelmed. How do we connect with them in a meaningful way?”

We know that parents and caregivers are often focused on immediate, pressing needs — supporting their child’s mental health, keeping up with school, and ensuring overall family well-being. With so much on their plates, it’s no surprise that service providers struggle to engage parents in workshops or longer-term programs. Numerous organizations tell us they feel like they’ve tried everything and still aren’t sure what works.

In this context, dating violence prevention can easily fall to the bottom of parents’ already full list of priorities. That’s why we’ve designed ConnectED Parents to meet parents where they are,

How ConnectED is doing things differently:

1. Delivering quick, practical tips via text messages directly to parents’ phones — easy, relevant skill-building on their own time
   • Parents want flexibility. Bite-sized info delivered by text means they can engage when (and if) it works for them — no pressure, no rigid schedule
2. Supporting community leaders and service providers to model and foster healthy relationships in parents’ everyday spaces
   • We focus on creating spaces where parents feel welcome, supported, and inspired to return. When parents feel connected, they’re more likely to stay engaged — and more likely to keep learning.
3. Training parents as peer leaders to reinforce healthy relationships messaging in parent social networks
   • By equipping parents to talk to each other about healthy youth relationships, we turn everyday moments into opportunities for learning. Whether it’s at the hockey rink, at school drop off, or over a quick coffee, these conversations help normalize prevention.

Together, ConnectED Parents creates a web of support for parents to learn and teach healthy relationship skills.

Want to learn more? Click here to get answers to frequently asked questions about ConnectED Parents.

Over 375 parents have now received ConnectED Parents’ text messages — and the feedback has been incredibly positive.

Parents shared that the messages helped them:

• Build confidence and comfort discussing healthy relationships and adolescent dating violence
• Develop stronger communication skills — including how to start conversations, ask meaningful questions, recognize the right (and wrong) time to talk, and use supportive, age-appropriate language
• Take action by having more intentional, informed conversations with their children about healthy relationships

Here is a summary of ConnectED Parents' research findings and impact to date:

Stay tuned! We will have more to share soon!