At a time when the City of London was experiencing serious problems with molestations and murders of children, the National Council of Jewish Women, London Chapter, became aware of a program called "Block Parent", which was operating successfully in some parts of the United States.

With the solid support of the London Police Service and the two London School Boards, the National Council of Jewish Women, London Chapter, started a pilot project in five schools in the Fall of 1968. By 1970, all elementary school areas in London were protected by the Block Parent Program.

Police noticed a drop in crimes against children and reported that the Block Parent window signs were acting as a deterrent to other crimes in the neighbourhood as well. While the crime rate in London declined, reports of child-related crimes in surrounding communities increased. Consequently, the Block Parent Program spread to St. Thomas, Sarnia, Hamilton, Ottawa and other cities.

In 1975, the Canada Safety Council undertook national promotion of the Block Parent Program, using London's program as a model.

In February, 1976, Homemaker's Magazine printed an article about the Block Parent Program. This contributed greatly to the establishment of Block Parent Programs in communities across Canada.

In May, 1977, the first Block Parent Conference was held in London, and at that time, the first Provincial Block Parent Program was formed, namely the Ontario Block Parent^® Program. In 1980, the provincial program was incorporated under the name of "Ontario Block Parent^® Program Incorporated" to be governed by a Board of Directors.

The National Block Parent^® Program was formed in October, 1983 in Ottawa, with a Block Parent representative of each province and territory in attendance. At subsequent national meetings, the Board of Directors of the Block Parent^® Program of Canada was formed and in September, 1986 was incorporated under the name of "Block Parent^® Program of Canada Incorporated".

In 1987 the Canada Safety Council ended its involvement with the Block Parent Program and transferred all rights of Block Parent material to the Block Parent^® Program of Canada Inc.

The year 2008 marked the 40th anniversary of the Block Parent Program. There are Block Parent Programs operating in many communities across Ontario and we thank the dedicated volunteers involved with these programs who are helping to keep their communities safe.