Tiffani Mason knows it takes a village to raise children. And she was lucky to have a network of family and friends nearby when she and her husband, Odell, embarked on the journey of parenting a little over two years ago. As a public health educator, she knew to look for additional resources, too.

After giving birth to her son, Odell IV, she found the Nurturing Parenting Program offered by the Child Abuse Prevention Council of Contra Costa County through First 5 California.

“In the class, they really focus on making sure you take care of yourself,” she said.

Tiffani learned important things about parenting, like the stages of development for her baby’s brain in his first months of life, and age-appropriate expectations as he grew. And the course also taught her skills to improve on her own mental and physical well-being.

The 18-week program gave her one night a week, with childcare and food provided, to focus on herself.

Some families are referred to the program through other local resources, but anyone with young children who lives in Contra Costa County can enroll.

Sonya Smith-Hodge, a class instructor, points to research that shows that lowering stress for parents lowers the likelihood of abuse or neglect.

That’s why self care is one of the focuses of the classes.

“It is cost effective and creates healthier communities to intervene early and provide that support to families,” said Carol Carrillo, executive director of the council. “As a healthy community, (preventing)child abuse is everyone’s responsibility.”