Mexico: Crianza Con Conciencia Positiva
Crianza con Conciencia+ (CC+) is a program promoted in Mexico by Parenting for Lifelong Health (PLH), in collaboration with various organizations and public institutions. It aims to strengthen emotional bonds and support the emotional and mental well-being of families. Through a hybrid model—combining digital tools with in-person sessions—the program adapts to different local contexts to reach mothers, fathers, and caregivers in a close and accessible way.
Since its initial phase, CC+ has been implemented mainly with the support of staff from government institutions, in community development centers and spaces connected to care networks. Thanks to participatory workshops, the program was adapted to respond to the social and cultural realities of Mexican families, ensuring a respectful and meaningful experience.
In 2024, a pilot was carried out in four states—Baja California, Chihuahua, Mexico City, and Michoacán—benefiting 292 families and showing positive results across all key indicators. Currently, in a new expansion phase, implementation has resumed in these states and Guerrero has been added, with an enhanced version of the digital tools.
With the support of our community alliances, local organizations, and public institutions, we aim to expand the reach of CC+: from 2,290 families in 2024 to more than 300,000 in 2025. Our shared goal is to reach 2 million families by 2030, which would represent approximately 10% of the child population in Mexico.
The Problem
According to UNICEF, “in Mexico, there is a harsh reality for 52.8% of children and adolescents between the ages of 1 and 14, as they have experienced violent disciplinary methods in their homes, which has left serious consequences for their development” (UNICEF México, 2020). Also, “six out of ten people between the ages of 1 and 14 have experienced some form of violent discipline in their homes” (UNICEF México, 2018). Addressing these issues is crucial to improving child well-being and preventing negative social outcomes.
The Solution
Given the significant challenges faced by families in Mexico—such as the widespread use of violent discipline and its long-term consequences on child development and mental health—positive parenting strategies have emerged as an effective solution. These strategies promote healthier, non-violent relationships between caregivers and children and adolescents, strengthening emotional well-being and improving family communication.
The Crianza con Conciencia+ (CC+) program responds directly to these challenges by offering mothers, fathers, and caregivers playful activities and practical tools that can be easily integrated into daily life. Through 15-minute daily sessions delivered via WhatsApp, CC+ ensures accessibility and flexibility for families. In addition to promoting positive parenting practices, the program innovatively integrates content on mental health, play, and well-being for both caregivers and children and adolescents.
Crianza con Conciencia+ (CC+) is a program designed to strengthen family bonds and promote the emotional well-being of children, adolescents, and their caregivers. Through seven modules, the program addresses key topics such as improving the caregiver-child relationship, sharing parenting responsibilities, caring for mutual well-being, ensuring safety and health, guiding behavior, supporting learning, and understanding development. Based on a transdiagnostic approach, CC+ also offers tools to manage stress, strengthen emotional self-regulation, and reinforce protective factors such as self-efficacy, social support, and personal strengths. By integrating these elements, CC+ provides accessible, practical, and transformative support to help build safer, more loving, and resilient family environments.
Crianza con Conciencia+ is a timely and highly relevant initiative that offers a scalable and cost-effective solution to prevent violence, improve well-being, and generate long-term positive outcomes for children, adolescents, and their caregivers across Mexico.
“
I am very happy and satisfied with this CC+ programme. It has taught me to be patient, tolerant, to set boundaries with my daughter, to understand her, and to comprehend that the education and treatment of my two daughters is very different.
- Caregiver from Mexico City
393
caregivers reached
83%
completion rate
896
facilitators trained
Impact
Caregiver Mental Health
Caregivers showed significant improvements in mental health, with noticeable reductions in symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. Additionally, there were improvements in emotional well-being, gratitude, and self-efficacy, which contributed to healthier family dynamics.
Parenting Practices
Caregivers became more actively involved in positive parenting practices, fostering stronger and more supportive relationships with their children.
Reduction in Violence
There was a significant decrease in general violence, including both physical and emotional abuse, creating safer home environments for children.
Child Well-being
During the pilot programme, children showed improvements in mental health, with reductions in depressive symptoms, anxiety, and behavioral problems, contributing to overall emotional stability.
Our Partners
Scaling Strategy
We work in close collaboration with government institutions and local partners to bring the benefits of CC+ digital tools to families across Mexico. The goal is to ensure that Crianza con Conciencia+ can be effectively sustained within existing national services.
In parallel, we are advancing key improvements to expand the scalability and impact of the program, including:
Expanding access in low-connectivity areas through the development of ParentApp, an application designed with an offline-first approach that allows families to access content without continuous internet connection.
Strengthening the gender approach to maximize the program’s impact in preventing violence against women, children, and adolescents.
Extending content to early childhood development, incorporating specific strategies for the 0 to 2-year-old stage, which is critical for well-being and holistic development.
Integrating content on online safety, including the prevention of child sexual exploitation and abuse in digital environments, as part of a parenting approach adapted to contemporary challenges.
Conducting a rigorous evaluation of program effectiveness through a randomized controlled trial (RCT), in order to generate robust evidence to inform decision-making for scale-up.
These actions are part of a comprehensive strategy to consolidate CC+ as a sustainable, evidence-based solution that can be adapted to diverse contexts across Mexico.
“
Personally, I have shared it with 10 people, including family, friends, and grandparents who take care of children and teenagers, and they have thanked me for helping them in this way. In general, we have all learned a different way of raising our children.
- Caregiver from Mexico City