Parent & Caregiver Support
Raising a child takes love, time, care, and support. There are a variety of organizations and community programs — including early childhood development resources, parent education and coaching, and so much more — to support you and your family throughout your journey.
Let’s explore some of the groups and community resources available to help you parent effectively and support your child’s needs.
Whether you’re wondering about developmental milestones, looking for ways to support your child’s learning, or seeking extra help for delays or disabilities, you’re not alone.
These trusted organizations specialize in early childhood development from birth through age 5, with resources to help you better understand and advocate for your child and connect with local-level organizations.
Zero to Three
Zero to Three is one of the premier organizations focused on early development (birth to age 3). They offer insights into developmental milestones and helpful articles on development, behavior, sleep, and play.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
The CDC has resources to help support early childhood development, with a focus on early intervention and developmental screenings. Check out their early development milestone checklists and milestone tracker app to help you track your child’s progress.
HealthyChildren.org
Backed by pediatric experts at the American Pediatric Association, HealthyChildren.org offers trusted advice on child health and development, including guides on speech, motor, emotional, and social development.
HealthyChildren.org
Backed by pediatric experts at the American Pediatric Association, HealthyChildren.org offers trusted advice on child health and development, including speech, motor, emotional, and social development guides.
Parents As Teachers
Parents As Teachers is an early childhood parent education program. They support parents and families through home visiting services, in-home support, and development assessments, and more.
Penfield Children’s Center
Penfield Children’s Center is a Milwaukee, Wisconsin-based nonprofit dedicated to supporting early childhood development, especially for children with developmental delays, disabilities, or complex medical needs. They offer an array of on-site services for parents and families in Wisconsin, as well as an online database of trusted resources and guides for parents nationwide.
Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (ECTA)
The Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (ECTA) provides helpful information on early intervention and preschool special education programs under IDEA (birth to age 5).
Family Voices
Family Voices is a non-profit that advocates for high-quality family-centered care for children with special healthcare needs.
Center for Parent Information and Resources (CPIR)
CPIR is the central hub for all federally funded Parent Training and Information Centers (PTIs) and Community Parent Resource Centers (CPRCs) across the country.
If your child has been diagnosed with a disability or you’re still in the process of seeking answers, you may be unsure where to turn. We want you to know that there’s a whole community ready to walk this path with you! These national organizations offer information, advocacy, emotional support, and practical tools for families of children with disabilities.
Parent to Parent USA
P2P is focused on providing one-to-one peer-level support for parents of children with disabilities and special health care needs, including emotional and mental challenges. They have peer mentoring programs and training and state-based resource networks.
The Arc of the United States
The Arc advocates for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families. They offer planning guides and local chapters offering direct support and workshops.
National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS)
The National Down Syndrome Society is dedicated to supporting people with Down syndrome and their families. They have parent guides, school and transition planning, and connections to local support.
Autism Society of America
The Autism Society offers resources for parents navigating an autism diagnosis, including local affiliate support groups and toolkits for education, behavior issues, and more.
National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD)
The NCLD focuses on empowering parents of children with dyslexia, ADHD, and other learning disabilities to help kids thrive. They offer tips for navigating IEPs and 504 plans, legal issues, and more.
National Association for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments (NAPVI)
Hosted by the American Foundation for the Blind, NAPVI offers support for parents raising children who are blind or visually impaired, including resources for early childhood and assistive technology.
United Cerebral Palsy (UCP)
If you’re navigating a recent Cerebral Palsy diagnosis for your little one, United Cerebral Palsy supports individuals with Cerebral Palsy and their families. Find local affiliates and insights into educational resources and more.
If you’re feeling anxious, isolated, or unsure how to support your child’s emotional needs (or your own), it’s okay to ask for help. In fact, it’s one of the most powerful things you can do as a parent. From perinatal mental health support and trauma-informed care to early childhood emotional development and family therapy, these resources offer compassionate, expert help.
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
NAMI is one of the largest grassroots mental health organizations in the United States. They offer support groups and educational resources for parents, caregivers, and families with children with mental health conditions.
Mental Health America (MHA)
MHA focuses on promoting mental health as a critical part of overall well-being. They provide resources on parenting, stress, anxiety, and childhood mental health. They have some parenting toolkits and guides on how to talk to kids about mental health.
The Child Mind Institute
The Child Mind Institute is a nonprofit focused on transforming the lives of children, teens, and young adults with mental health and learning disorders. They have helpful guides, videos, articles, and more from mental health experts.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
SAMHSA is a government agency that provides free and confidential support for individuals and families facing mental or substance use disorders. They offer disaster relief and trauma support. Call the SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) for referrals to treatment and support.
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