Thanks to the efforts of Darcy Kamin, some Boulder County children may have increasingly caring and effective parents. Kamin, a pediatric nurse, is a volunteer for the Boulder County Department of Social Services Nurturing Program.

The nurturing program teaches appropriate and effective parenting skills to parents experiencing family problems. Each week, participants take home practical assignments that help the program goal, of building the number of nurturing families across Boulder County.

The Nurturing Program is available to child protection clients of Boulder County’s Department of Social Services. The program was developed from extensive clinical and empirical research.

“I have seen people begin to make eye contact with their children, begin to trust other people, learn how to care for their children and themselves, and learn alternatives to spanking,” Kamin said.

Kamin first heard about the Nurturing Program from a social worker with Boulder County Social Services. The program caught her attention because it is evidence-based. When the curriculum is taught as laid out, it has proven to make a significant impact on the family involved. Information is continually collected and used to regularly update the curriculum. Kamin’s classes are for parents of children from newborn to 5 years of age.

“Another neat thing about the program is that there’s curriculum for the children, too,” she said. “The kids are interacted with in a purposeful way. It’s not just play; it’s therapy. All of us are professionals — all the volunteers and staff are professionals. Although I think you could be trained to teach the curriculum without being a professional.”

For information about volunteering with the Boulder County Department of Social Services or other agencies, call the Volunteer Connection at 303-444-4904, or go to our Volunteer Central.