HCPSSSpring 2026 Training Program for Parents/Guardians of Anxious Students
January 20th, 2026
This spring, HCPSS again will offer its Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions program (SPACE), a no-cost, evidenced-based training program to assist parents/guardians in helping their children manage anxiety. HCPSS will offer five SPACE groups, listed below. Each group will be facilitated by two licensed HCPSS mental health staff members.
- Two groups for parents of middle and high school students (one virtual and one in-person)
- Two groups for parents of elementary students (one virtual and one in-person)
- One group for parents of Pre-K students (ages 4 & 5)
All groups will meet weekly, starting the week of March 9, 2026 and ending the week of April 27, 2026, for a total of seven sessions. There will be no meetings the week of Spring Break (March 30-April 6, 2026).
Please note:
- SPACE provides parents/guardians with a forum to connect and share their experiences as well as an opportunity to learn strategies to better support their anxious children. SPACE is educational in nature and not considered therapy.
- Each session builds on the previous one. As such, parents/guardians should consider whether they can attend all seven sessions prior to committing to the program.
- HCPSS is partnering with Yale University to conduct a research study focusing exclusively on SPACE groups with parents of students in grades Kindergarten-5.
- SPACE groups are primarily conducted in English. If you have a need for a group in a different language, please indicate this on the registration form. HCPSS aims to offer groups in additional languages in the future.
Parents/guardians interested in participating in SPACE should complete the registration form below that is associated with the group they wish to join by February 6, 2026. Please note that capacity is limited; parents/guardians may be placed on a waitlist if sessions fill up.
Parents who submit a registration form will be contacted by an HCPSS staff member, who will confirm participation in one of the groups and/or placement on the waitlist. Parents of elementary aged students (K-5) will receive additional information about the Yale research study at the time of the follow-up phone call.
Questions about the Spring 2026 SPACE program should be emailed to SocialWorkServicesSpace@hcpss.org.
Additional information on the SPACE program can be found online.
Parents of Middle and High School Groups – Register
- Option 1: In-Person
- Option 2: Virtual
Day: Tuesdays
Time: 6-7:30pm
Location: Howard High School
Day: Mondays
Time: 6-7:30pm
Parents of Elementary Aged Students (K-5) Groups – Register
- Option 1: In-Person
- Option 2: Virtual
Day: Wednesdays
Location: Northfield Elementary School
Time: 6-7:30pm
Day: Thursdays
Time: 6-7:30pm
Parents of Pre-K Aged Students Group – Register
This group may be in person or virtual. The format will be confirmed when SPACE program staff contact interested parents who have completed the registration form.
Day: Thursdays
Location: Waterloo Elementary School or Virtual
Time: 6-7:30pm