Los Ninos Program Expanding to Oregon

The Los Ninos Bien Educados (Well-Behaved Children) program guides Spanish speaking parents through a structured curriculum on how to use less punitive methods of discipline. Participants learn strategies for behavior management, positive reinforcement, and effective communication, while reducing reliance on punitive parenting methods. The program encourages parents to reflect on generational parenting patterns that may no longer serve their families.

“The Los Ninos program is a positive parenting program,” said Stacy Hackenmueller, Integrated Care Services Program Director at Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic. “It’s a group that focuses on providing tools to reduce child abuse and neglect in a supportive non-judgmental environment while also helping families address health-related social needs.”

A mother who attended the class in 2024 shared her experience with the program. She had a difficult childhood, and her parenting style was strict and included corporal punishment. She thought the classes would be a waste of time, but when she applied what had been taught, communication between her and her children improved. Her children are now more comfortable talking with her about their experiences and problems at school.

Three surveys, given at the beginning, middle and end of the program, are used to track the progress of participants and gauge the effectiveness of the classes. According to Annie Contreras, Program Coordinator II at Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic, participants report a 90 percent improvement in family communication and an 88 percent increase in satisfaction with their child’s behavior by the end of the program. “We have some proven results,” said Contreras.

The program has been part of Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinics in Washington for about 30 years, and more than 1,000 parents have graduated from it during that time. The expansion into Oregon was made possible thanks to a grant from the Willamette Health Council. The Oregon program will be available to patients at Salud Family Medical in Woodburn, and Lancaster Family Health Center at Lancaster in Salem. The first class is tentatively scheduled for March.