Parent Resources
Afterschool
Afterschool Alliance: www.afterschoolalliance.org
The Afterschool Alliance is a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness of the importance of afterschool programs and advocating for quality, affordable programs for all children.
Child Care
California Child Care Resource and Referral Network: www.rrnetwork.org
Provides information and resources for California families seeking child care, and offers opportunities for parents interested in advocating for affordable child care.
Child Care Aware: www.childcareaware.org
This site includes information and tips for parents topics including choosing child care, evaluating a provider, licensing, types of care, and other resources.
Child Care Inclusion Challenge Project (CCICP): www.childcareinclusion.org
CCICP assists families and providers with finding information, resources, and support around inclusive child care for children with disabilities.
Community Care Licensing: www.ccld.ca.gov
Community Care Licensing is the state agency responsible for licensing and monitoring family child care homes and child care centers to ensure that they provide safe and healthy environments for children.
National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (NACCRRA): www.naccrra.org/for_parents
NACCRRA works to advocate for child care policies that positively impact the lives of children and families. This site assists parents in identifying high-quality child care and provides other information and supportive resources for families.
TrustLine: www.trustline.org
TrustLine is California's registry of in-home child care providers who have passed a background screening. All caregivers listed with TrustLine have been cleared through a fingerprint check of records at the California Department of Justice. This means they have no disqualifying criminal convictions or substantiated child abuse reports in California.
Child Development and Early Education
Child Development Division, California Department of Education: www.cde.ca.gov/sp/cd/
This site offers resources and information for child development contractors, families, and community members regarding child development programs funded by the state.
First 5 California: www.ccfc.ca.gov
First 5 California seeks to improve the lives of California’s young children and their families through a comprehensive system of education, health services, childcare, and other crucial programs. This site provides information and resources related to children from birth to age 5.
Head Start: www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ohs/
Head Start is a national program that promotes school readiness by enhancing the social and cognitive development of children through the provision of educational, health, nutritional, social and other services to enrolled children and families.
San Francisco Department of Children, Youth and Their Families (DCYF): www.dcyf.org
This site includes information on San Francisco child care, health, educational, social, and recreational programs for children and families, as well as advocacy activities, volunteer opportunities, and special events.
Zero to Three: www.zerotothree.org
Zero to Three is a national nonprofit organization that informs, trains, and supports professionals, policymakers, and parents about the lives of infants and toddlers.
Employment and Job Training
JVS: www.jvs.org
JVS is a San Francisco-based organization offering free employment search assistance, training, job placement, and other resources for jobseekers.
General Assistance for Families
Earned Income Tax Credit: www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=96406,00.html
The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a refundable federal income tax credit for low- to moderate-income working individuals and families. This site features a calculator allowing families to determine if they qualify for the credit.
Family Service Agency of San Francisco: www.fsasf.org
The Family Service Agency of San Francisco (FSASF) is a nonsectarian, nonprofit charitable social services provider. The agency works with vulnerable families and individuals, disadvantaged children, at-risk teens, and persons with mental illness.
San Francisco Human Services Agency: www.sfhsa.org
The Human Services Agency provides qualifying San Franciscans with food assistance, financial assistance, child welfare services, health care assistance, housing assistance, employment and job training, and other services.
Health and Wellness
Healthy Children: www.healthychildren.org
Sponsored by the American Academy of Pediatrics, this site offers a comprehensive guide to children’s development, health and mental health.
KidsHealth: www.kidshealth.org
Provides information for parents on child health, nutrition, safety, and development.
San Francisco Community Clinic Consortium: www.sfccc.org
SFCCC sponsors a network of health clinics throughout San Francisco that offer health, mental health, pediatric, prenatal, and dental services. Services are often free or low-cost.
Legal
Law Help California: www.lawhelpca.org
Law Help California, from the Public Interest Clearinghouse, is a statewide, searchable database of resource and referral information on legal topics, such as housing, public benefits, health, work, immigration, civil rights, family and kids, protection from abuse, and Native American issues.
Parenting
Bay Area Parent: http://sanfrancisco.parenthood.com
Provides articles, information, and resources for parents throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.
Childhood Matters: www.childhoodmatters.org
This is a live, one-hour radio call-in program for parents and others who care for children. Rona Renner, RN is the host of the show, which airs every Sunday morning from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. on 98.1 KISS FM. Listeners are encouraged to call in with questions to 877.372.KIDS.
Parents Magazine: www.parents.com
Provides information and resources for parents on all stages of child development. Forums offer opportunities to exchange tips, ideas, and strategies with other parents.
Parents Place: www.parentsplaceonline.org
Parents Place is a nationally recognized full-service resource center for families with children of all ages. Services on this site include parent support groups, a child care bulletin board, classes and workshops, and a resource library, and answers to parenting questions.