Parents have a crucial role to play in preventing violence in adolescence. The Healthy Relationships Toolkit (HeaRT) parent programs provide parents of 6th, 7th, and 8th graders with skills that encourage positive interactions and open communication with their children.

The HeaRT parent programs help parents teach their children about respectful, nonviolent relationships. The programs use a mix of learning activities, including sharing information, group discussions, role-playing, hands-on exercises, and at-home practice. These activities give parents tools for positive parenting and effective communication, while also helping them talk with their children about healthy and safe relationships.

An online version of the HeaRT parent programs is also available. The Healthy Relationships Toolkit: Training for Parents is a free, self-paced course for parents and caregivers of teens that gives any parent (even if their child isn't receiving HeaRT youth programs) access to the content. Schools and community organizations can promote the online training to parents in addition to offering the in-person programs to reach as many families as possible.