After facing the challenges of raising teens herself, Jean Schumm recognized a critical gap: parents weren’t talking openly about the tough topics their kids were facing. Driven by a desire to change that, she founded Operation Parent in December of 2005—starting humbly in a local high school classroom, where she led parenting classes and honest discussions. Her goal was simple but bold: create a space where parents could learn, share, and prepare for the real issues affecting their children.

In response to growing demand from parents, craving reliable, accessible guidance, Operation Parent released its very first Parent Handbook. Packed with prevention-focused information on the issues families were struggling to talk about—like technology use, substance abuse, and mental health, the handbook became a trusted go-to resource. What started in a high school classroom was now reaching homes and communities across the region, offering real help for real-life parenting.

In 2011, Operation Parent translated its Parent Handbook into Spanish, opening the door to serve Spanish-speaking families nationwide. This vital step allowed us to reach even more caregivers with prevention-focused resources, support, and encouragement—furthering our mission to meet parents where they are and ensure every family has access to the tools they need to thrive.

To meet parents where they were—busy, overwhelmed, and often searching online for help—Operation Parent launched its first national webinar in 2017. These live, expert-led sessions gave families across the country direct access to trusted information and real-time support on tough parenting topics. The webinars quickly became a core part of Operation Parent’s mission, creating a space for learning, connection, and courageous conversations—all from the comfort of home.

A dream years in the making became reality when Operation Parent moved into its beautiful new headquarters in La Grange, Kentucky—right in the heart of its flagship community, Oldham County. The new space features a fully equipped webinar studio, welcoming meeting areas, and room to grow. More than just an office, it represents a deepening of our roots and our mission. We are so grateful to call this inspiring space home as we continue serving families across the country!

In 2024, Operation Parent welcomed its first Executive Director, Darrell Bramer, marking a new chapter in the organization’s growth and impact. With a heart for families and a strong background in leadership, Darrell brought the vision, structure, and energy needed to guide Operation Parent into its next season. His unique gift set and deep commitment to prevention have already been a tremendous blessing to the team—and to the thousands of parents we serve.

Operation Parent celebrates 20 years of equipping, encouraging, and empowering families! What began in a high school classroom has grown into a nationally recognized resource for prevention-focused parenting. Over two decades, we’ve reached over 500,000 families with trusted information, courageous conversations, and a community of support. As we reflect on all that’s been accomplished, we’re filled with gratitude—and even more excited for what’s ahead. Here’s to 20 years of impact—and many more to come!