Parent to Parent support creates a community of similar others trained to listen and be supportive and provides an opportunity for matched parents to experience equality and mutuality in their relationship. Findings also identify the need for quality control in Parent to Parent programs and the importance of such programs as an adjunct to traditional professional services.

This paper describes 2 approaches used to evaluate Parent to Parent mentoring programs in 5 states. Parents were assigned to either a treatment group or a waiting list comparison group. The treatment group participated in Parent to Parent for 2 months. Groups were compared on measures of coping, attitude, and progress on addressing problems. Analyses showed statistically significant positive gains for the parents in the treatment group. Changes on a measure of empowerment were not statistically significant. A qualitative study based on consumer satisfaction interviews with parents provided insight into what makes the Parent to Parent program work. The findings support the value of Parent to Parent self-help programs as one component of a family support system.