Professional Hats Aside: How Parent Cafés Reduce Perceived Power Differentials to Engage Caregivers in Adverse Childhood Experience Prevention Using the Protective Factors Framework

Abstract

In the 25 years since adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) were identified as risk factors for chronic disease in adulthood, there has been limited research on multigenerational ACEs and prevention. Parent Cafés are a program model that engages caregivers in productive conversations centered on the protective factors framework. They integrate strategies of deprofessionalization, cocreation of programming, safe spaces, active listening, social supports, concrete resources, and self-directed or peer-guided cues to action, to optimize their impact. This article explains the development of the Parent Café model and discusses the benefits of its use of a non-expert-led structure, with support from theory and results from a pilot qualitative survey. Future practices should consider taking innovative approaches to adopting, integrating, and evaluating these strategies.