Frequently Asked Questions
API Leader Applicants

Do I have to finish the required reading before I apply?

No, we encourage applicants to apply even if they have not completed any of the readings. Applicants can complete their book reviews after they apply, with the goal of completing them within a few months. After the application becomes official, applicants will be given a list of resources that will be used to fulfill the book review requirement. Applicants may submit the three required book reviews with their initial application (if they are finished), and then work on the other four after applying.

Do I have to finish the reading before I am approved?

Yes, reading the required materials will prepare applicants to help parents and will help them become familiarized with the approved resources to which they’ll eventually be referring parents.

What happens after I apply?

  1. The Leader Applicant Liaison (LAL) will confirm receipt of the application within five days, either via e-mail or postal mail.
  2. The application will be reviewed after the application fee and recommendations are received.
  3. The LAL will send a series of letters via e-mail addressing the applicant's answers to the application questions. If more information is needed, applicants may be asked to elaborate or answer more specific questions.
  4. The LAL will ask applicants to respond to API's Eight Principles of Parenting as well as read and review seven resources.
  5. The LAL will discuss with applicants the logistics of support group facilitation and management.
  6. Applicants will be asked for their thoughts on bias and showing respect and acceptance to parents.
  7. Applicants will practice responding to examples of parent support situations.
  8. Applicants will answer questions about API's Leader Manual and other resources on the Leader Community Site.
  9. The last step is for applicants to confirm their contact information, pay a prorated leader membership fee, and sign a statement of commitment.

Do I have to have a co-leader to start a new API support group?

API does not require two support group leaders, but it is strongly recommended. It is more difficult to establish and maintain a support group with one leader, but some support groups do have only one leader. Applicants and new leaders are encouraged to find a co-leader as soon as possible. It is extremely important to the sustainability of each group to have more than one leader.

How can I find like-minded parents who might be interested in attending or starting an AP group?

  • Attend a La Leche League group or other parenting meetings in the community and get to know the leaders and parents who attend.
  • Start an AP playgroup and advertise in the local grocery or health food store, library, children's museum, children's clothing stores, maternity stores, bookstores, and other places frequented by parents and expectant parents.
  • Start a community-based AP discussion group on Yahoo! Group, Facebook, or another online social networking tool.
  • Announce a meeting for parents interested in starting an AP support group in a local free paper.
  • Contact local midwives, doulas, childbirth educators, lactation consultants, AP-friendly pediatricians, and others who have contact with new parents. Ask them to put up a flyer and/or direct interested parents to the new API group.
  • Place an ad in Mothering magazine.
  • Schedule an Attachment Parenting "meetup" at www.meetup.com.

How long does it take to be approved after I apply?

The amount of time involved between the application submission and approval averaged four months in 2011.  The quickest application was completed in two months.

What are the costs to maintain affiliation with API?  How do groups make income to pay expenses?

API support groups pay a $25 affiliation fee yearly in October.  API encourages groups to sell memberships and plan fundraising projects to meet this expense as well as any additional expenses incurred in establishing and running a group.