The Zero to Thrive program within Michigan Medicine is pleased to announce their Strong Roots Mom Power program has been approved by the California Evidenced-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare (CEBC), a nationally recognized body that applies rigorous standards of review to identify effective programs.

Strong Roots Mom Power program is a multi-generational group intervention for mothers with their babies facing high levels of adversity. This 13-week program engages mothers in strengths-based, resilience-building, and interactive mental health support. It offers developmental and parenting guidance, support for building self-care skills, and nurtures social support through connections with other mothers sharing these experiences.

Developed in 2009, Mom Power is the first evidence-based program of its kind to demonstrate functional changes in the maternal brain associated with intervention. The CEBC has rated Mom Power as a 3 - Promising Research Evidence on their Scientific Rating Scale in the Trauma Treatment (Adult) topic area. Research has shown:

•       Improvements in depression, parenting stress, and post-traumatic stress symptoms.

•       Decreased social isolation.

•       Improved confidence and comfort in parenting.

•       Increase in understanding of children’s behaviors and motivations.

•       Increased capacity to reflect on and respond to their own and their children’s emotions.

“Parenting is hard and can be very stressful, particularly for families facing adversities. Mom Power was co-developed with input from parents and providers and offers mothers a community to connect with others who ‘get it’, reflect on parenting, build self-care skills, and share in both the joys and hardships of parenthood.” said Kate Rosenblum, PhD, Professor and Co-Director of Zero to Thrive at Michigan Medicine. “The program is an evidence-based, therapist-led program specifically designed to mitigate barriers to engagement in services, enhance mental health and social support, and nurture responsive and secure early relationships. We are proud to be accepted to the CEBC registry.”