Family Support Services
The Be SMART campaign was launched to raise awareness that secure gun storage—storing guns locked, unloaded, and separate from ammunition—can save children’s lives. Be SMART emphasizes that it’s an adult responsibility to keep kids from accessing guns and that every adult can play a role in keeping kids and communities safer. There are thousands of Be SMART volunteers in your communities and neighborhoods that are delivering the Be SMART message across the country in all 50 states. Be SMART resources include tips for parents and adults in talking to youth about gun violence and gun violence prevention.
Roots & Shoots was founded by the principles of Dr. Jane Goodall and the organization hopes to inspire young people to identify problems in their communities and take action. Roots and Shoots hosts an interactive website that provides resources, service projects, and youth-led campaigns.
PBS Kids for Parents offers resource for parents including topics such as child development, games, cooking activities, advice on various issues, fitness & nutrition, and book recommendations.
Occupational therapists and trauma-informed teachers weigh in on how to create sensory tools and spaces with what you have at home.
The following resources offer tips for families including age-appropriate responses to common questions, a guide to self-care, and activities for young children experiencing social distancing.
Immigrants Rising is committed to serving undocumented communities during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. They put together a list of resources to help undocumented immigrants navigate the crisis.
News of the coronavirus COVID-19 is everywhere, from the front page of all the papers to the playground at school. Many parents are wondering how to bring up the epidemic in a way that will be reassuring and not make kids more worried than they already may be. Here is some advice from the experts at the Child Mind Institute.
Are you inside with the kids today? Someone’s sick? Raining outside? Something else keeping you inside? This booklet provides 10 ways you can talk, read, sing, and play your way through the day—just with things you might already have at home. Pick and choose the ideas that work best for your child’s age and interests. And follow your child’s lead on other ways they want to play!
Families, looking for a coaching plan for the next two weeks? Scroll through for week 1 and week 2 or download the guide below.
There are nearly 100 Parent Training and Information Centers (PTIs) and Community Parent Resource Centers (CPRCs) in the US and Territories. These centers are working with families of infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities, birth to 26; helping parents participate effectively in their children’s education and development; and partnering with professionals and policy makers to improve outcomes for all children with disabilities. Find your Parent Center here.
Program staff can direct parents to this website designed for smart academic advice for helping kids in every grade and subject.
The NCSL provides information about child support laws, rules, and basics.