Parenting and Child Care Resources

Find resources in Palo Alto related to child care, support organizations, and parenting below.

Advocacy and Resources

Center for the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning
A national resource funded by the Office of Head Start and Child Care Bureau focused on promoting the social emotional development and school readiness of young children birth to age 5.

Child Advocates of Silicon Valley
(408) 416-0400
Administers the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Program for children in the Santa Clara County Dependency Court System (foster care). Advocates mentor foster children and ensure that they receive the services and resources they are entitled to.

County of Santa Clara: Adoption Services
(408) 501-6300
Provides a full range of adoption services for both those open to adopting a child and those who want to give up a child for adoption. Services include voluntary relinquishments, adoption home studies, placing children for adoption, and post adoption services.

County of Santa Clara: CalWORKS - Financial Assistance for Families with Dependent Children
(408) 758-3800
Provides time limited cash assistance, childcare and healthcare coverage. Also helps parents/caregivers find jobs, pay for education, and provides other services that support families after leaving the program.

County of Santa Clara: Child Abuse and Neglect Center
(833) 722-5437
A 24/7 reporting line for child abuse and neglect. In life threatening situations call 911.

First 5 Santa Clara County
Find local programs, services, workshops and resources for parents of children ages 0-5.

Help One Child
(650) 917-1210
Provides support and resources for foster, adoptive, and vulnerable families.

Kinship, Adoptive and Foster Parent Association
(408) 501-6365
Provides resources and advocates for the need of kinship, adoptive and foster families in Santa Clara County.

Kinship Support Services - Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County
(408) 333-1323
Offers services to grandparents and relative caregivers (who are aged 60 years or older) who are solely responsible for a relative's child. Services include case management, support groups, education, and information and referrals.

Resources for Parents of Children with Disabilities
A list of resources for children with disabilities can be found on the Disability Service page. Resources include assistive technology, counseling, education, parent resources, and more.

Behavioral Challenges

AbilityPath
Multiple locations in Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties
(650) 259-8500
Resources and articles on behavior and discipline. The organization provides support services for children, adults, and seniors with developmental disabilities.

Hand in Hand Parenting
(650) 322-5323
Resources, classes, and support groups for families of children birth to 6 years old. Areas of support include aggression, sleep, separation, and setting limits.

JFCS Center for Children and Youth: Parents Place
200 Channing Ave., Palo Alto
(650) 688-3046
Offers resources, guides, parent consultations, coaching, support groups, workshops, and individual family meetings.

Parents Helping Parents (PHP)
1400 Parkmoor Ave., #100, San Jose, CA 9512
(408) 727-5775
E-Learning library with resources on a variety of topics, including behavior.

Child Care Resources

Visit our Child Care Resources Page for a listing of licensed child care centers and family homes in Palo Alto, guides on how to choose quality child care, information about the City of Palo Alto Child Care Subsidy Program (Administer by Palo Alto Community Child Care), and more child care resources.

Child Development Resources and Diagnostics

Children’s Health Council
650 Clark Way, Palo Alto
(650) 326-5530
Diagnostic testing for many types of cognitive, emotional/behavioral, speech/language and motor skill issues. Financial aid available to eligible families.

Center for Children and Youth (A Division of Jewish Family and Children's Services)
200 Channing Avenue, Palo Alto
(650) 688-3046
Childhood assessment and diagnostic testing for developmental and mental health challenges.

Hope Services: Homestart
(408) 284-2812
Evaluation and early intervention services for infants and toddlers (up to 5 years old) with developmental and mental health needs.

Palo Alto Unified School District (PAUSD) Special Education Department
25 Churchill Avenue, Palo Alto
(650) 833-4260
Services, supports, and programs are provided for eligible students from ages 3 to 22.

Parents Helping Parents (PHP)
1400 Parkmoor Ave., #100, San Jose, CA 95126
(408) 727-5775
The "Get an Early Start" program provides support and information to families with children 0-5 who have delays or disabilities. Staff helps to identify needs and provide peer support information and resources.

Partners and Advocates for Remarkable Children and Adults (PARCA)
800 Airport Blvd., Burlingame, CA 94010
(650) 312-0730
Offers family support services for parents, caregivers and siblings of people with developmental disabilities. Services include information and referral, advocacy, community outreach and support groups.

San Andreas Regional Center (SARC): Santa Clara County Office
6203 San Ignacio Avenue, Suite 200, San Jose
(408) 374-9960
Service-coordination and free diagnostic evaluations for those living with learning disabilities. Point of entry for many disability services and programs.

Santa Clara County Office of Education: Early Learning Services Department (ELS)
1290 Ridder Park Drive, San Jose
(408) 453-6500
The ELS Department operates the Head Start, Early Head Start, California State Preschool Program, and Childcare Transition Classroom Programs.

Santa Clara County Office of Education: Inclusion Collaborative
(408) 453-6651
inclusionwarlmline@sccoe.org
The Inclusion Support Warm Line offers free supports for parents, teachers, and community members working with children who have disabilities and other needs.

Financial Resources for Families

CalWORKS (California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids)
Provides time limited cash assistance, childcare and health care coverage to families with dependent children (under 18). Apply through the County of Santa Clara Social Services Agency online or by phone, (408) 758-3800.

LifeMoves Opportunity Center
33 Encina Ave., Palo Alto
(650) 853-8672
LifeMoves is a part of the County’s Emergency Assistance Network which provides a variety of services to prevent homelessness and act as a safety net for residents facing eviction, utility disconnection, and hunger. Eligible Zip Codes include 94301, 94303, 94304, 94305, 94306

Santa Clara County Community Resource Guide
This guide contains a diverse array of information for financially challenged families and well as resources on health care, transportation, domestic violence, food and nutrition programs, education and child care programs.

More financial assistance programs for rent, utilities, and general assistance are listed on the Emergency Assistance Page.

Resources for free groceries and meals are listed on the Food Page.

For more information and an interactive map of available affordable housing in Palo Alto, go to the Affordable Housing Page.

Health services and health insurance options are listed on the Health Services Page.

Parent Education

Adolescent Counseling Services
(650) 424-0852
Parent education about Youth mental health and addiction.

Blossom Birth Services
(650) 321-2326
Pre-natal and newborn support classes and resources.

Children’s Health Council

(650) 326-5530
Classes and resources for parents of children who need help with learning differences and mental health.

Community Health Awareness Council Family Resource Center

(650) 967-4813
Classes for families of children from birth to 5 years old. Partners with First 5 Santa Clara County.

First 5 Santa Clara County
www.first5kids.org

Family resources, events and activities, and parent education.

Hand in Hand Parenting
(650) 322-5323
Resources, classes, and support groups for families of children birth to 6 years old.

Jewish Family and Children’s Services - Parent’s Place

(650) 688-3040
Parent coaching and workshops for parents, caregivers, and professionals.

Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Family Resource Center

(650) 721-0874
Stanford Medicine Children's Health offers comprehensive classes to enhance the lives of parents, children, and caregivers.

The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
(202) 232-8777
Provides research-based resources, tips and ideas for families in the areas of child development, reading, writing, music, and math.

Palo Alto Adult School
(650) 329-3752
Parenting and family classes, including language development and academic achievement.

Parents Helping Parents
(408) 727-5775
Events and resources for parents of children with disabilities.

Parent Venture
(650) 868-0590
Parent and community education on critical issues including mental health, digital media, substance use, college planning and more. Some events available in Spanish.

Resources for Youth

allcove
(650) 798-6330
2741 Middlefield Road, Suite 102, Palo Alto
Open to youth 12 to 25 years old. Services include mental health, physical health, substance use, peer support, family support, education support, and career coaching. The center also offers events such as support groups, life skills classes and recreational activities. Services are free or low cost.

City of Palo Alto Teen Services
Visit the Teen Services page to learn more about opportunities for teens in Palo Alto.

DreamCatchers

(650) 561-2135
A free tutoring program for middle school students in Palo Alto.

Friends for Youth
(650) 368-4444
A 1-to-1 mentoring services program for low-income youth ages 8 to 17. Youth are referred by teachers, probation officers, and other youth professionals.

Mitchell Park Teen Services
(650) 329-2400
3700 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto
Offers programs and services such as the free drop-in teen center, Palo Alto Youth Council, Teen Advisory Board, Think Fund Grant, day camps, and volunteer opportunities.

Youth Community Service
(650) 858-8019
Public service projects, community engagement, and leadership opportunities for youth.

Support and Play Groups

AbilityPath (650) 259-8500 The Family Support Services department includes Family Resource Center programs, support groups for parents, and play groups for children with developmental or special needs.
Community Health Awareness Council Family Resource Center (650) 967-4813 Parent classes and support groups.
Family and Children Services of Silicon Valley (650) 326-6576 Family violence and abuse prevention programs.
Jewish Family and Children's Services: Center for Children and Youth (650) 688-3040 Parent support groups, consultation and coaching, and workshops.
Kinship Support Services - Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County (408) 333-1323 Offers services to grandparents and relative caregivers (who are aged 60 years or older) who are solely responsible for a relative's child. Services include case management, support groups, education, and information and referrals.
La Leche League- Oakland (510) 545-3840 Resources and group meetings.
Las Madres ContactUs@lasmadres.org Neighborhood playgroups, activities, and events.
Mid-Peninsula Parents of Multiples (650) 555-1212 Resources, playgroups, and parent education for families with twins, triplets, or more.
Oshman Family Jewish Community Center (650) 223-8700 Family and parenting programs.
Parents’ Club of Palo Alto- Menlo Park info@pampclub.org Events and resources for families.
Palo Alto Medical Foundation (PAMF) (650) 853-2935 Groups for pregnancy, birth, parenting, Lamaze & pre-natal support.
PARCA (650) 312-0730 Support groups, resources, and advocacy for parents, caregivers, and siblings of people with developmental disabilities.
Parents Helping Parents (408) 727-5775 Support for parents of children with developmental, learning, attention, or health issues.
Silicon Valley Twins and Triplets presidents@svtwinsandtriplets.org A club for parents of twins, triplets or more that provides social events, educational meetings, playgroups, and resources.
YMCA, Palo Alto Family (650) 856-9622 Education and fitness programs for youth and families.

Youth and Family Counseling

Visit the Mental Health Services page for a list of resources for youth and family counseling.

Other Resources

Information and Referral
Information and Referral is your link to the Palo Alto community. Use it to find family-friendly service-providers and resources in our community, and much more. Categories include: Emergency/Crisis, Basic Needs, Community Resources, Disability Resources, Education, Health Care, Mental Health and Counseling.

Trustline
Trustline is a database of nannies and baby-sitters that have cleared criminal background checks in California. It's the only authorized screening program of in-home caregivers in the state with access to fingerprint records at the California Department of Justice and the FBI.