Our Vision Statement

Every child will have a home where they are loved unconditionally, where their spirit is honored and nurtured, and where they are taught the power of love.

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What Is APEC?

The Academy of Parenting Education and Coaching (APEC) is an organization designed to offer support to strengthen families and communities by offering courses, trainings, workshops, and resource materials to parents, teachers, and organizations. APEC has now certified over 1,000 parenting educators and the Redirecting Children's Behavior course is currently taught in fourteen countries.

APEC was formed by Kathryn Kvols over thirty years ago. Kathryn is the author of the book and parenting course Redirecting Children's Behavior. Early in her career, Kathryn was working as a family counselor. She started teaching methods that helped parents become calmer and more confident and empowered them to raise their children to be responsible and cooperative. Parents applauded the results they saw in their families and began to push Kathryn to write a book based on the principles, which she taught in her classes.

Out of parents' enthusiasm and Kathryn's own belief that parenting is the most important job we will ever have, she wrote Redirecting Children's Behavior, and created accompanying courses. Both have continued to grow and expand, with the book being revised and republished three times since 1979. The APEC Parenting instructors are carefully selected and go through a rigorous 40 hours training. APEC is one of the only organizations that require their instructors to obtain and maintain their certification through continuing education.

Many of our instructors are teachers, health practitioners, and professionals, and moms and dads who care deeply about families. Kathryn's dream of supportive, loving families has become an international effort and the network has been an inspiration to many. It is up to each of us, whether we are parents or friends of parents, to encourage and support children as they grow and learn, as they will be the adults of tomorrow.

The Academy of Parenting Education and Coaching offers a variety of parenting classes and teacher education. It is headquartered in Gainesville, Florida.