How to Become a Co-leader of an Existing API Group
If you are interested in becoming a co-leader of an existing API Support Group, please read API's Eight Principles of Parenting and the Leader Guidelines to ensure you agree with them. We require each new applicant to have a child who is at least eighteen months old when (s)he applies. Each potential group leader should fill out the Application for Approval as an Attachment Parenting International Leader. API requires one recommendation from one of the group's leaders. The application and recommendation forms are available from existing group leaders or may be sent mail or fax upon request. If a group has more than one leader there is no distinction between them in title. All API-approved leaders are equal.
Each applicant is required to pay the application fee, be a member of API, and to read and participate in a dialogue about the API Leader's Manual during the application process. Groups may pay the application fee for applicants from the support group treasury. The application fee is $25.00 (US$). Any couple who shares an address and applies together will only need to pay $35.00 (US$) for a combined application fee. If one applicant begins the process alone ($25.00 US$, as noted above) and his/her partner decides to apply at anytime afterward, (s)he will pay a reduced application fee of $15.00 (US$).
The completed application should be submitted to Lisa Feiertag, API Leader Applicant Liaison, by mail (P.O. Box 274, New Market, MD, 21774 USA), fax (800-850-8320), or e-mail. If you are enclosing a check or money order (for application and/or membership fees), please mark the check payable to Attachment Parenting International. Fees may also be paid through our Leader Applicant Store. An applicant from a country other than the United States should use an international money order.
Receipt of your application will be acknowledged within five working days. Further correspondence is required before completing the application process which includes reviewing API's Eight Principles of Parenting and Leader Guidelines, understanding support group facilitation, practicing helping situations and becoming familiar with API's Leader Manual. During the process you will be invited to join the API Leaders' forums. Upon completion of the leader accreditation process, we will send a letter of congratulations and the new support group will be listed on the API website.
Required Reading:
During the application process, you will be required to read and review approximately seven resources. Our intention is for leader applicants to be:
- knowledgeable about Attachment Parenting information, theory, and practice
- prepared to share ideas and resources with other parents
- able to use effective communication techniques when helping parents
Applicants are required to read and review the following three books:
- Attached at the Heart by Barbara Nicholson and Lysa Parker
- Nonviolent Communication by Marshall B. Rosenberg
- Hold On To Your Kids by Gordon Neufeld (DVD or Book)
In addition applicants will be required to pick four other resources to review. The list of approved materials will be sent during the correspondence period with the Leader Applicant Liaison. In instances where the applicant lacks experience with a particular API Principle, additional reading may be required. Materials other than the ones listed may be substituted at the discretion of the Leader Applicant Liaison, and exceptions to our requirements will be made for non-English speaking applicants.
While these books contain valuable information, they may also include some passages that do not follow API philosophy. For example, API does not support spanking or hurting children. Please use your own discretion in reading these books or in considering any parenting philosophy.
