Dr. Stephen J. Bavolek

Author of our inventory assessments.

Dr. Stephen Bavolek is a recognized leader in the fields of child abuse and neglect prevention and treatment, and parenting education. He is the principal author of the Adult-Adolescent Parenting Inventory (AAPI) and the Nurturing Parenting Programs.

Background

Born and raised in Chicago, Dr.Bavolek’s professional background includes working with children and teens with emotional problems in schools and residential settings, and abused children and abusive parents in treatment programs. Dr Bavolek has conducted extensive research in the prevention and treatment of child abuse and neglect.

Education

He received his doctorate in 1978 from Utah State University and completed a post doctorate at the Kempe Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Child Abuse and Neglect in Denver, Colorado. He has held faculty positions at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and the University of Utah.

Work

He has published numerous books, and DVDs and conducted hundreds of workshops for the past 35 years. He is also founder and CEO of the Family Nurturing Centers, Inc. International, a not-for-profit organization. Both the Family Nurturing Centers and Family Development Resources are dedicated to the mission of empowering communities throughout the world to help families experience the success of living a life free from physical, verbal and emotional abuse and neglect.

Awards

Dr. Bavolek has won numerous local, state, national and international awards for his work including induction in 1989 into the Royal Guild of the International Social Work Roundtable in Vienna, Austria.In 1983 he was selected as Teacher of the Year at UW-Eau Claire, and that same year was selected by Phi Delat Kappa as one of 75 educators in the country who represent the best in educational leadership, research and services.

Purple Heart

Dr. Bavolek was Mental Health Professional of the Year in Northern Wisconsin in 1985, and Child Advocate of the Year in Utah in 1991. In 1980, he was recognized by the Military Order of the Purple Heart for outstanding research and services to the handicapped. He was given the keys to the city of Lynchburg, VA in 2005, and Knoxville TN in 1989 for services to their communities. He was also the recipient in 2005 of the Frida G. Shapira Friend of the Family Award, Pittsburgh, PA.

Read about Inventory Assessments

Family Development

In addition to publishing and disseminating materials, FDR sponsors training workshops for professionals through its team of trainers and consultants. For over 20 years, professionals worldwide have attended workshops and seminars on assessing and treating child abuse and neglect using the AAPI and the Nurturing Parenting Programs.

Web Application

Assessing Parenting's web interface is easy to learn and easy to use. Because it is a web application we can add new features as they become available. It also allows for our program to be available all over the world and translated into any language.

Parenting Programs

With offices in Asheville, NC and Park City, Utah and over 100 Trainers/Consultants worldwide, FDR has has sold over 1 million copies of their English and Spanish Parent Handbooks. The programs feature activities to foster positive parenting skills and self-nurturing, home practice exercises, family nurturing time, and activities to promote positive brain development in children birth to 18 years.

Did You Know?

Dr. Bavolek was Mental Health Professional of the Year of Northern Wisconsin in 1985 and Child Advocate of the Year in Utah in 1991. In 1980, he was recognized by the Military Order of the Purple Heart for outstanding research and services to the handicapped.