Community Parent Education Program

Submitted on Thursday, 01/09/2020 - 2:25 am

About Community Parent Education Program (CPEP)

The Community Parent Education Program (CPEP) is a free family strengthening program open to all families in the community with children ages 5-12 years.

CPEP has been operating throughout Calgary and surrounding areas since 2002. We work closely with community schools, other agencies and organizations to facilitate an evidence based parenting course as well as children’s social skills and problem-solving groups. We offer parents and their children the opportunity to learn new skills that are effective and positive. Improving the quality of family life and parent-child relationships is our focus.

Who the Program Supports

CPEP is a universal family program that is available to any family in Calgary and the surrounding area with children ages 5-12 years. CPEP is for any parent wishing to receive parent education and support. The program is effective and beneficial for any family.

CPEP can provide particular help for parents of children with disruptive behaviour disorders such as Attention Deficit Disorder (ADHD), Oppositional Defiance Disorder and Conduct Disorder.

Our Approach

A typical group runs one evening a week for 8-10 weeks and includes a skill-based group for parents and/or caregivers as well as a social skills and problem solving group for children ages 5-17 years. In addition to improving the parent’s ability to parent their child, CPEP encourages the creation of a social network for parents facing similar challenges.

CPEP also encourages awareness and utilization of other resources in local communities. The goal is to help families create their own network of support beyond the term of CPEP.

Parenting topics covered include:

  • relationship building
  • parenting through daily transitions
  • use of rewards and consequences
  • problem solving
  • effective communication

Committed To Excellence

CPEP is a research-based, adult learning style program designed by Dr. Charles Cunningham, a world renowned expert in the area of child and family psychiatry. The program comes from McMaster University Hospital in Hamilton, Ontario and is offered throughout the province of Ontario as well as the U.S.,Denmark, Sweden and Guam. CPEP is the first program of its kind to be offered in Western Canada.

How to Access the Program

Families can self-refer to CPEP, be referred by their community school, and/or  by another professional or service.

CPEP provides groups throughout Calgary in various community schools. Our group locations vary throughout the year.

   To get more information about the program, request course schedules, and/or to register for a group, please email HullCPEP@hullservices.ca

For more information contact