H.O.P.E. Certification

Align your mission with healing, equity, and resilience.

Early childhood programs and organizations can now pursue H.O.P.E. Certification demonstrating their commitment to strengths-based practices, reflective leadership, and joy-centered care.

Rooted in the H.O.P.E. Framework (Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experiences) developed by the Center for Community-Engaged Medicine at Tufts University, this pathway supports programs in embedding relational, trauma-informed, and healing-centered strategies across daily practice and systems design.

H.O.P.E. in Action: Strengthening Care & Community

Why H.O.P.E. Matters

From Stress to Strength, From Survival to Thriving.

The early childhood ecosystem is facing unprecedented challenges—burnout, disconnection, inequity, and trauma. The H.O.P.E. Framework (Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experiences), developed by the Center for Community-Engaged Medicine at Tufts University, helps us reimagine what's possible.

By focusing on positive, relational, and healing-centered experiences, H.O.P.E. offers a new path forward—one where resilience is cultivated, voices are honored, and communities are strengthened from the inside out.

The Four Building Blocks of H.O.P.E.

Positive Experiences Are Powerful—and They’re Proven.

Decades of research show that children thrive not just because challenges are avoided, but because positive, meaningful, and safe experiences are intentionally created. The H.O.P.E. Framework helps programs and communities center these experiences in daily practice—making healing possible and resilience sustainable.

The four Building Blocks of H.O.P.E. guide how we shape relationships, environments, and opportunities for growth:

Supportive Relationships
Strong, consistent, and nurturing relationships with adults help children feel safe, seen, and valued.
Safe, Equitable Environments
Spaces that are physically and emotionally safe—where all identities are honored—create the foundation for belonging.
Engagement in Meaningful Activities
Children (and adults) thrive when they can participate in play, learning, and rituals that matter to them and their communities.
Opportunities for Emotional Growth
Moments that support self-regulation, reflection, and expression foster lifelong coping skills, confidence, and empathy.

These aren’t abstract concepts—they’re practical tools for change.
When these building blocks are woven into the fabric of programs, policies, and relationships, they transform not just classrooms, but entire communities.

How H.O.P.E. Supports Programs & Educators

Grounding systems in healing, reflection, and integrity.

The H.O.P.E. Framework isn’t one-size-fits-all—it’s a flexible, strengths-based model that adapts to the unique vision, values, and needs of each program. Every partnership is a co-creation process, where Nebula works alongside your team to design and implement healing-centered strategies that are culturally responsive, community-rooted, and sustainable.

Benefits for Programs:

Align daily practices with trauma-informed, equity-centered principles
Improve staff well-being through reflective supervision and co-regulation
Increase retention and engagement by nurturing purpose and team cohesion
Foster inclusive, joyful environments where all children and families feel welcome
Access coaching, training, and tools that move seamlessly from insight to practice

What You’ll Get:

A fully customized project plan built in partnership with your leadership team
Virtual or on-site coaching and reflective consultation
Strategic alignment tools for policies, relationships, and classroom culture
Ongoing support grounded in your local context, language, and goals

With H.O.P.E., your program doesn’t just receive a framework—it builds something alive, meaningful, and rooted in your community’s story and strengths.

How H.O.P.E. Supports Families

Partnership, not prescription.

Benefits for Families:

Encourages meaningful, two-way relationships with staff
Provides tools that support emotional regulation, communication, and confidence
Validates lived experience and cultural identity
Offers access to parenting education and supportive learning communities
Builds trust, connection, and continuity between home and program

What Families Will Experience:

A welcoming culture of empathy, not judgment
Engagement in positive, joyful interactions
Opportunities to thrive as partners in their child’s development

How H.O.P.E. Supports Children

Building the emotional roots of lifelong resilience.

Benefits for Children:

Encourages emotional expression and self-regulation
Promotes identity, belonging, and cultural safety
Strengthens connections to caring adults
Increases engagement and reduces challenging behaviors
Supports healing for children with adverse experiences

What Children Receive:

Daily access to safe, joyful, and nurturing relationships
A consistent environment that invites exploration and trust
Experiences that support brain development and well-being

How H.O.P.E. Strengthens Communities

Healing-centered leadership leads to collective impact.

Benefits for Communities:

Builds a shared language of hope, healing, and strengths
Deepens cross-sector collaboration among schools, councils, family support systems, and nonprofits
Reduces isolation among providers and leaders
Supports scalable, community-driven innovation
Aligns services around the well-being of children and families

What Communities Gain:

A network of HOPE-aligned programs
Opportunities for sustainable systems change
Local champions who lead with integrity and reflection

Why Choose H.O.P.E.?

H.O.P.E. is not a curriculum. It’s a commitment to how we care.

Takeaways:

Embeds healing into every layer of your organization
Strengthens your relationships with children, families, and staff
Provides a flexible, evidence-aligned path to certification
Supports cultural responsiveness, trauma-informed care, and joyful learning
Builds systems that are reflective, relational, and resilient

Cost and Accessibility

Investing in Transformation—Together

Because each HOPE-aligned project is tailored to meet the unique needs, vision, and culture of your program or organization, costs vary based on the depth of support, coaching, and collaboration involved.

Championship-aligned partnerships start at $900 and may increase depending on the scope and customization of your project.

However, we are deeply committed to accessibility. We believe every program—regardless of size, budget, or location—deserves the opportunity to grow with integrity and healing at the center.

That’s why we offer:

Scholarships for eligible participants
Grant-supported slots through community partnerships
The opportunity to co-apply for funding collaboratively
Flexibility to work with local partners or coalitions to make this vision possible

If this work resonates with your heart and mission, we want to walk alongside you.

Let’s make it happen—together.

Become a H.O.P.E. Certified Program or Organization