Parenting Support & Services
FAMILY/CAREGIVER SUPPORT
Services that address the health and wellbeing - physical, behavioral, social, and economic - of parents, families, and caregivers of young children
IN THIS SECTION
Non-Birthing Caregiver Support
Non-birthing parents, grandparents, foster parents, adoptive parents, and other caregivers can access assistance through local healthcare and community organizations, as well as state-provided caregiver support.
Equity Considerations
Non-birthing caregivers, especially LGBTQIA+ parents, fathers, and elderly guardians are often left out of the equation and may face discrimination when attempting to access family services. Support organizations help non-birth parents navigate systems and programs that were not designed for them.
FAMILY/CAREGIVER SUPPORT
Ages
Birth - 5 years
Usage
Geography
Statewide
Professionals
Psychologists, Counselors, Therapists, Social Workers, Psychiatrists, Primary Care Providers
Settings
Psychologist/Psychiatrist Offices, Primary Care Offices, Health Clinics, Community Centers
Oversight, Guidance, or Regulation
Executive Office of Elder Affairs
Department of Public Health
examples
FAMILY/CAREGIVER SUPPORT
Ages
Birth - 5 years
Usage
Geography
Statewide
Professionals
Certified Parent Educators, Program Staff, Parent Leaders, Counselors, Development Specialists, Pediatricians
Settings
Non-profit Organizations, Community Centers, Hospitals, Religious Centers, Online
Oversight, Guidance, and Regulation
N/A
examples
Support groups for: Postpartum depression, New parents, Single parents, Parents of children with disabilities, Breastfeeding, Adoption, and more.
Parent Support Groups
Parent support groups can help parents find community with peers who are experiencing similar situations and allow them to learn, share, and grow together.
Equity Considerations
Parents are their children's first and most important teachers. However, the expertise of outside professionals (particularly healthcare providers) is often weighed more heavily in conversations about child development than parent perspectives, which can make it difficult for parents to ask questions and share their concerns. Programs that uplift and support parents in reaching their full potential are essential resources. Parents should feel empowered to seek assistance through parenting classes, support groups, and other resources.
Parenting Classes
Parenting classes provide strategies, tools, and other resources on how to raise children of all ages, including positive discipline techniques, age-appropriate child development skills, and more. Parenting classes can be a time for parents to learn about various research-based parenting models such as
Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity, Empathy (PACE) and
The Basics, which support healthy development and secure attachments between young children and caregivers. These classes also connect parents with one another to share ideas and concerns.
