The impact that Parents Anonymous® has had has been reflected in national media. Parents Anonymous® has been a leader in partnering with government at the federal, state and county levels to make sure there are policies in place and funding for services that build on the strengths of families. We have raised over $100 million, which we put back in the community to help families.
Parents Anonymous® was established in 1969 by Jolly K., a determined mother seeking support to create a safe and nurturing environment for her family, and Leonard Lieber, a clinical social worker. Together, they developed the first mutual support group for parents, laying the foundation for a nationwide movement focused on strengthening families through Shared Leadership® strategies. With the support of the U.S. Congress, Parents Anonymous® also launched the National Parent Helpline.
Jolly K. testified before the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, sharing her personal journey and the successes of Parents Anonymous®. Her testimony contributed to the passage of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA), which expanded Parents Anonymous® programs and services nationwide.
Parents Anonymous® received a grant from the Office of Child Development and Health Education and Welfare, facilitating the organization’s growth and the establishment of additional support groups across the country.
Dr. Lisa Pion-Berlin assumed leadership as President & CEO of Parents Anonymous® Inc., ushering in a new era of strategic growth, national advocacy, and research-informed programming. Under her visionary leadership, the organization expanded its reach, deepened its commitment to Shared Leadership®, and solidified its role as a national leader in family strengthening, peer support, and evidence-based services for parents, children, and youth.
The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) featured Parents Anonymous® in its Family Strengthening Series, recognizing the organization’s role in preventing child abuse through mutual support groups and specialized programs for children.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Parents Anonymous® launched the California Parent & Youth Helpline and Online Parents Anonymous® Support Groups. These services provided free, trauma-informed, evidence-based emotional support to parents, children, and youth in multiple languages via calls, text, live chat, and email.
Parents Anonymous® launched an innovative statewide training and placement program for Medi-Cal Certified Peer Support Specialists, offering culturally responsive, trauma-informed training and wraparound supports. This initiative prepared individuals with lived experience to provide peer services throughout California’s behavioral health workforce.
Expanding its reach nationwide, Parents Anonymous® launched the National Parent & Youth Helpline, offering accessible support, resources, and referrals in multiple languages to parents, caregivers, children, and youth in every U.S. state and territory—further cementing its leadership in family-strengthening services.
As of 2025, Parents Anonymous® continues to empower diverse parents, children, and youth through its evidence-based programs and services. The organization remains dedicated to advancing equitable social change and strengthening families and communities nationwide.