CINCINNATI — Parenthood is becoming much more demanding and expensive. The need for support services is increasing along with the cost.

One Ohio agency is trying to do something about it. 

Senior Parenting Specialist Kerry Brown is also a mother of three. She said she knows from experience it’s not always easy.

“Parenting is the greatest thing I’ve ever done and the hardest thing I’ve ever done," Brown said. 

It’s the reason she studied and now teaches parenting online and in person at the Beech Acres Parenting Center in Cincinnati.

“We like to say we see everything from potty training to prom… You’ve got the spectrum, ADHD, anxiety, big emotions, big feelings,” said Brown.

The need for services has grown since COVID, she said, with thousands more parents using it as a different approach.

“We use something called natural-strength-parenting approach, which helps parents be intentional about goals and values, strength-based, and help reduce the stress and be in the moment with their child,” said Brown.

That comes at a price — about $100 per session in out-of-pocket costs to see a parent specialist.

She said the agency is partnering with different companies to help cover the cost for working parents so they can get the help they need.

Their methods have been proven to work, she said.

“Within Tri-Health we did reduce the number of sick visits and E.R. visits that families that did engage with us, and we’re trying to work toward that to get that covered,” said Brown.

That’s why she said the agency is working on expanding the program and making it affordable for any parent raising a family.