About

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.​