Helpful Resources
Family Resources
Our program is committed to supporting access to outside resources that may be of benefit to families. If you have questions or need assistance to access these resources contact:
Career Link
This agency can help you to develop a resume and match your skills and background with job openings in your area.
Car Seat Clinics or Free or Reduced Cost Car Seats
Pennsylvania state law requires that children under age four ride in a federally approved car seat or booster that is appropriate for the child’s age, height and weight. Children ages 4 to 8 must use a booster seat if they are no longer in a car seat. These resources can assist you in obtaining a car seat and/or help you to install your car seat properly.
Child Care Information Services (ELRC)
ELRC agencies are the hub of child care information in your local area. ELRC agencies provide you and your family with information on quality child care based on your specific needs or preferences. ELRC agencies also administer the Child Care Works subsidized child care program.
CHIP
CHIP is short for the Children’s Health Insurance Program- Pennsylvania’s program to provide health insurance to all uninsured children and teens who are not eligible for or enrolled in Medical Assistance. Regardless of the reasons your children might not have health insurance, CHIP may be able to help you. 1-800-986-KIDS.
County Assistance Office (CAO)
Cash Assistance, Medical Assistance (MA, which is also called Medicaid), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits (the new name for the Food Stamp Program) and home heating assistance through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) are all public assistance programs available to eligible low-income individuals and families.
Domestic Violence Hotline
Domestic Violence Hotlines can provide a variety of services and supports to individuals who are experiencing abuse.
Early Intervention Program
Provides supports and services to infant/toddlers and young children with developmental delays and disabilities and their families/caregivers so that they may help the child grow and develop.
Infant/Toddler Program
For children ages birth -3, ChildLink provides free evaluation and services to those who quality. Contact (215) 731-2110.
Preschool Program
For children ages 3-5, contact ELWYN at (215) 222-8054).
CONNECT Information Services
Assists families and professionals in locating state, local and national resources and information for children birth through 5; provides referrals to Early Intervention Services 800-692-7288
Housing Assistance
Programs that offer assistance regarding housing can help you to locate housing provide information on resources for first time home buyers and help answer questions if you are fearful of losing your home.
LEARN Groups
The purpose of the CEG is to develop and implement a community outreach plan to educate and foster relationships with families, government, businesses, schools and the early learning community about issues in early learning such as Pennsylvania’s Promise for ‘Children, Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts, Keystone STARS and Child Care Works. To facilitate linkages between school districts, early learning practitioners, and other community stakeholders for the purpose of developing a community action plan to support successful kindergarten transitions.
Legal Aide
If you are a resident of Pennsylvania and need help with a legal matter and cannot afford an attorney, these organizations may be able to assist you.
Parent to Parent of PA
Parent to Parent of PA matches parents and family members of individuals with disabilities and special needs on a one to one basis for the purpose of support and to share information and resources.www.parenttoparent.org 1-888-727-2706.
School District of Philadelphia Kindergarten Registration Contact
Contact (215) 400-4290.
School District of Philadelphia Family Engagement and/or PTO/PTA Contact
Contact (215) 400-4180.
Women, Infant and Children Program (WIC)
WIC provides supplemental foods, health care referrals and nutrition education for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding and non-breastfeeding postpartum women, and to infants and children up to age five who are found to be at nutritional risk.
Websites for Families
Pennsylvania Resources
Better Kid Care
https://extension.psu.edu/programs/betterkidcare/parents-families
Pa Department of Education (Office of Child Development and Early Learning-OCDEL)
Read by 4th
Initiative to ensure all children will read on grade level by the time they enter 4th grade.
http://www.readby4th.org
PA Promise for Children
Pennsylvania’s Promise for Children is a coordinated statewide campaign to raise awareness about the value of quality early learning for all of our young children and build responsibility among every Pennsylvanian for the early learning of the young children in their lives.
www.papromiseforchildren.com
National Resources
American Academy of Pediatrics: Parent Corner
Provides a variety of resources for families.
http://www.aap.org/parents.html
The Center for Early Literacy Learning
The goal of the Center for Early Literacy Learning (CELL) is to promote the adoption and sustained use of evidence-based early literacy learning practices. This site has resources for early childhood intervention practitioners, parents, and other caregivers of children, birth to five years of age, with identified disabilities, developmental delays, and those at-risk for poor outcomes.
http://www.earlyliteracylearning.org/pgparents.php
Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning (CSEFEL)
Is focused on promoting the social emotional development and school readiness of young children birth to age 5. CSEFEL is a national resource center funded by the Office of Head Start and Child Care Bureau for disseminating research and evidence-based practices to early childhood programs across the country. http://csefel.vanderbilt.edu/resources/family.html
Let’s Move
Combining comprehensive strategies with common sense, Let’s Move! is about putting children on the path to a healthy future during their earliest months and years. Giving parents helpful information and fostering environments that support healthy choices. Providing healthier foods in our schools. Ensuring that every family has access to healthy, affordable food. And, helping kids become more physically active.
http://www.letsmove.gov/parents
Reach Out and Read
Reach Out and Read’s early childhood experts and medical champions create a number of wonderful literacy materials that Reach Out and Read providers distribute to the millions of families we serve every year. Reach Out and Read is proud to share some of those materials with all parents and educators who have an interest in promoting early literacy and school readiness for all. http://www.reachoutandread.org/parents/
Terrific Transitions
This website is a collaborative effort of the SERVE Regional Educational Laboratory and the National Head Start Association. Our goal is to provide a wide variety of transition information and resources for families, professionals, and community partnerships to use as they address children’s transitions into kindergarten.
http://center.serve.org/TT/fam_par.html
Choose My Plate
Get tips, strategies and ideas for healthy eating.
https://www.choosemyplate.gov/
Healthy Children.org
The American Academy of Pediatrics parenting website.
https://www.healthychildren.org/English/Pages/default.aspx
Zero to Three
ZERO TO THREE’s approach to family education is based on the belief that families are the true experts on their children, and that there is no “one-size-fits-all” approach to raising children. The information and tools we offer are designed to support families in developing their own ways to promote their children’s growth and development.
http://www.zerotothree.org/site/PageServer?pagename=par_parents