Become a Parent Coach | Connected Families

Guide parents into peace and connection in their homes

Are you passionate about helping families grow in connection and peace? Has the Connected Families Framework been a tool you love, in your home, ministry, and/or practice?

It is our privilege to equip new parent coaches, as they utilize the Framework in supporting more families. By coming alongside you, whether you’re a counselor, a pastor, or a social worker, we love watching the impact multiplied through YOU.

Do any of these describe you?

You already have a coaching certification or practice and want to incorporate the Connected Families Framework into your work.
You are a trained counselor or work in human services and desire to offer a focused parent coaching element, using the Connected Families Framework, to your clients.
You are serving families in a ministry setting and want to bring a parent coaching lens to your conversations.
AND you agree with the Connected Families’ Four Core Documents.

Become a Connected Families certified parent coach

A Connected Families parent coach comes alongside parents for a season of time to inspire and equip them using our biblically-based Framework. Parent coaching is a forward-focused approach that identifies where a family is currently while encouraging and providing tools to help them reach their preferred future.

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Minimum experience/educational requirements

Bachelor’s degree in human services/OT/education/ministry. Exceptions considered on a case-by-case basis.
Preferred: Counseling Degree/Coaching Certification/Ministry Experience
Parent for at least 5 years (exceptions considered)
Agree with the Connected Families Statement of Faith

Why coaching?

Learn why Connected Families offers parent coaching rather than therapy in this article by Chad Hayenga.

I wanted to help families, not just teens, because behind hurting teens are hurting parents. Upon getting licensed as a therapist, I began seeing teens in a therapeutic context, but saw little change in families as a result. I found that in many cases the teens’ issues were closely related to how they were parented, and that much of my work with teens was aimed at helping them cope with their parents. So I quit doing therapy with teens to focus on coaching parents.

Here’s what Michelle said after completing the program:

“I just have a real heart for children to know Jesus and to be in a place where they can spiritually thrive. And so that for me was the draw for Connected Families. I chose Connected Families because the framework is the gospel. When a parent is parenting in a way that comes from the place of grace, of truth, of love, then they are modeling Jesus for their children. ” – Michelle Davidson, Sparrow Ministrees

LEARNING

Details

Duration: 3 to 6 months – to be completed by April 2026
Cost – $850 per individual / $975 for couples

Requirements

Fill out an application.
Interview with Director of Coaching, Chad Hayenga. (If invited into the program, continue the following steps.)
Complete Discipline that Connects With Your Child’s Heart online course.
Read How to Grow a Connected Family.
Read Discipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart.
Complete four sessions of coaching with a CF parent coach.
Proven ability to apply CF framework principles as a parent.

Benefit

Grow as a parent while you investigate if becoming a parent coach, using the Connected Families Framework, is right for you.

TRAINING

Details

Next cohort begins in April 2026!
Cost – $1600 per individual / $2,400 for couples

Requirements

Complete all Connected Families online courses
Read all Connected Families ebooks
Record 4 coaching sessions and submit them to a Connected Families parent coach for encouragement and feedback
Monthly group check-in meetings (approx 2 hours each)
Complete assignments as assigned

Benefit

Personalized feedback (on the 4 recorded sessions) to encourage, challenge, and further equip you in your parent coaching
Ongoing access to Connected Families staff via email
Access to the Connected Families parent workbook to use in your practice

SUSTAINING

Details

Duration – 12 months
Annual Renewal Fee – $715 per year for individuals / $1075 per year for couples

Requirements

Regular check-in meetings on an ongoing basis, with a minimum of four required

Benefit

Listed on our website as a Connected Families Certified Coach with a link to your website
Email support as needed
Connected Families certified parent coach logo for your website
Access to the Connected Families parent workbook to use in your practice
Continued training in areas such as Speaking, Content Creation, Coaching
25% off all Connected Families resources
Free access to all new CF online products

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Questions you might have

What happens if I don’t complete Phase 1 in 3 – 6 months?

Six months is the maximum for how long we think the certification program should take. If you need more time, let us know and we will seek to find a solution.

Does the Phase 1 registration fee cover the cost of the books, online course, and coaching?

BOOKS
After you apply and interview, if you are invited into Phase 1, your Phase 1 payment will be due. When payment is received, we will send both Discipline That Connects and How to Grow a Connected Family. If you already have these books, you may pass them along to encourage another parent.

If you live internationally, we will work with you on a case-by-case basis.

ONLINE COURSE

If you’ve already taken the course, great job! You are on your way! If you haven’t we will give you a special code to access the course for free (included in your phase 1 payment). We are unable to reduce the cost of phase 1 if you’ve already paid for and taken the course.

COACHING
Several coaches have joined the coaching certification program after coming to us for coaching! Phase 1 payment allows for another four sessions of coaching as a part of the Phase 1 payment.

What is the going rate for coaching sessions? I’d like to understand ROI before moving forward.

At Connected Families, we have a suggested rate of $540 for a five-session coaching package. As an individual practitioner, you can set your own rate based on your experience, clientele, location, etc.

Will CF help me find clients?

The certification program equips you to work effectively with parents. If you are certified, we will endorse you on our website. You will need to network and find your own clients.

Do you offer scholarships to go through the program?

We dedicate 10% of all coaching revenue to provide scholarships for each training cohort. Because these funds are limited, scholarship awards are based not only on your financial circumstances but also on the work you’re doing to support parents and families in your community. We prayerfully consider how each request aligns with our mission. While we aren’t able to say “yes” to everyone, we aim to support leaders whose work will bring meaningful, multiplied impact to the parents they serve.

Do I need to use all of the Connected Families Framework or can I vary my approach and pick and choose what I use?

If you are gaining parent coaching clients by promoting yourself as a Connected Families certified parent coach we would expect that you stick closely to the framework. It is important to us that we keep the essence and fidelity of our framework. We would desire and expect that you would add your personal anecdotes and tweaks that truly make it your own while maintaining the core of the CF Framework. The CF coaching workbook easily guides the coaching conversations.

How can I be sure the CF Parent Coaching Certification Program is right for me?

The four-session coaching package with a CF coach is required for all who enter the certification process. It is helpful on the parenting front but also helps potential coaches get a strong sense about whether it’s a good fit. We also work to screen potential coaches to make sure it is beneficial for all!

During Phase 2 what do the six two-hour check-in meetings entail?

In Phase 2, you will meet 6 times in a video platform with an experienced Connected Families trainer and other parent coaches who are going through the certification process. The sessions are intended to build community among coaches-in-training, grow basic coaching skills, and train you to coach through the Connected Families Framework.

Do I NEED to charge for coaching services?

Absolutely not! You can use your coaching certification however you see fit. However, we do believe it is a valuable resource and is worth charging at the minimum a nominal fee for your expertise and time.

Churches might consider investing in a key lay-leader to become their certified CF Parent Coach.

After I’ve completed my Phase 2 training, can I say I’m a CF Certified Parent Coach even if I don’t go on to Phase 3?

The short answer is no. For community building and quality assurance purposes, we request that coaches stay in Phase 3. However, if you choose to no longer participate, you will not be considered a CF Certified Parent Coach, your name and website link will be removed from our website, and you will no longer have permissions to use the Connected Families Parent Coaching workbook.

Can your status be “inactive” for a period of time in Phase 3?

Yes! However, we would ask that you plan ahead and let us know your intentions. Annual certification fees will not be reimbursed.

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