211 Ventura County

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Children & Family

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Click on a category below to get started on your children and family resource search.

Resources for Expectant and New Parents

If you are a new parent through adoption or foster care, please visit the General Parenting Resources section for assistance.

If you are pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant, visit Health Pregnancy Ventura County.

Healthy Pregnancy Ventura County provides information to help you before, during, and after pregnancy. You’ll find information about nutrition, financial planning, pregnancy support, breastfeeding, and much more.


Find…
Expectant & New Parent Assistance
Food Assistance for Young Children & Pregnant Women
Childbirth Classes
Maternity Homes
Prenatal Care

Breastfeeding protects young children from illness and helps with children’s brain development. It also encourages bonding between mother and child. 

Visit the Breastfeeding Coalition of Ventura County website. There, you can access information and resources for breastfeeding moms.
 

Find…
Expectant & New Parent Assistance
Breastfeeding Support Programs
Food Assistance for Young Children & Pregnant Women
Diapers
Baby Furniture
Postpartum Depression Support
Safe Surrender for Newborns
Parent Stress Lines

Well baby visits offer healthcare check ups and immunizations for infants and toddlers. These visits help keep track of your baby’s health, growth, and development.

For more information on health insurance or health care resources, visit our Health Care page.


Find…
Well Baby Care
Infant Massage Instruction
Infant & Child Safety Education
Car Seat Safety Inspections
CPR Instruction

Parenting Concerns - Development

 Have questions or concerns about your child ‘s development?

Help Me Grow Ventura County can answer parents’ everyday questions about their children.  Help Me Grow Ventura County is a network of programs that support young children’s development. They offer information and printable resources that can help you understand your child’s growth and learning from birth to age 5. These guides can also help you know what you can do to help them along the way as they continue to grow.

 

What is a developmental screening?

A developmental screening can help show how your child is learning and developing. A screening can help you celebrate your child’s milestones. Screenings can also identify possible delays in growth, learning, and development. If delays are present, your child may need further diagnosis, assessment, and evaluation. Then you can receive referrals to a community agency that can help.

A developmental screening will look at the way your child is:

  • speaking and understanding information
  • using their hands and fingers
  • using their arms and legs
  • learning and playing with toys and other children
  • able to problem-solve

And it only takes 10 – 15 minutes to complete.

Ventura County Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ)

The questionnaire can help keep track of your child’s development. The questionnaire may be provided every 2-, 4- or 6-month period. You will be asked to answer questions about some things your child can and cannot do. The questionnaire includes questions about your child’s communication, gross motor, fine motor, problem solving, and personal social skills.

Click here to access the English ASQ.


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Developmental Screening
Early Head Start offers three programs for low-income infants, toddlers, and their families.
Expectant Mothers – This program offers weekly home visits for expectant mothers. Pregnant women receive information on topics like prenatal care, breastfeeding, and child development. This program also provides referrals to resources and services in the community.
 
Toddler Center – Offers education and child development services in a classroom environment. Each classroom accommodates only eight children, between ages 18 months to 3 years.
 
Home Based Program – For children with a primary learning environment at home. Families receive services that focus on the role of the parent as the child’s first teacher. It also provides parent support services.
Find…
Early Head Start

Parenting Concerns - Counseling and Abuse

Experiencing difficulties in your family or concerned about a child’s/adolescent’s safety?

Counseling helps families develop ways to overcome the difficulties that they are facing. It also helps families and individuals learn how to achieve goals.

For more resources for Youth/Young Adults, visit our Youth page.


Find…
Marriage Counseling
Counseling for Children
Adolescent/Youth Counseling

Are you concerned about a child’s safety?
 
Do you need to surrender a newborn?
 
Are you feeling overwhelmed with the stresses of parenthood? Do you need to speak with someone about it?
 
There are resources available that can assist you.
 

Find…
Child Abuse Reporting
Safe Surrender for Newborns
Parent Stress Lines

General Parenting Resources

Find resources for childcare, immunizations, special education programs, and more!

Family Resource Centers help families with children from infancy to age five. Services can include:

Early Learning
– Parent and child together classes
– School readiness programs
– Literacy programs
– Pre-school referrals

Health
– Free developmental check-ups
– Limited dental services
– Health resources and referrals to public health nurses
– Referrals to mental health services and health insurance enrollment

Family Support
– Emergency food assistance/utility assistance
– Case management
– Parent education programs
– Family support resources and referrals


Find…
First 5 Neighborhoods for Learning

Some programs let you engage in physical activities with your child. Other programs teach you how to create fun learning opportunities for your child.

Parenting can be overwhelming at times. A support group can help you talk with other parents who may be dealing with similar issues.
 

Find…
Parent / Child Activity Groups
Parenting Skills Classes
Parent Support Groups
Co-Parenting Workshops
Court Ordered Parenting Program

There are programs that maintain lists of child care resources. They can connect families to child care centers and licensed child care homes. 
 
Some programs can even help pay for all or some of the cost of child care. Low income families with parents who are working, in school, or in a training program may be eligible. Families with children with disabilities may also be eligible for this financial assistance.
 

Find…
Child Care Provider Referrals
Child Care Expense Assistance
Preschool Referrals
Early Literacy Programs

Immunizations, or vaccinations, help you protect your and/or your child’s health.  When you and your children get vaccinated, you help protect others as well.

For more information on health insurance or health care resources, visit our Health Care page.


Find…
Immunizations

There are many different resources available for disabled individuals and their families.

Parent Support Groups help parents come together and offer one another mutual support.

Respite Care offers a break for parents, guardians, or caregivers of dependent adults and children. This supervision can take place in the home or in a community setting. 

Special Education services are available in preschool, elementary school, and beyond.

Some programs loan out equipment, appliances, and assistive aids. They can also train people on how to use these Assistive Technology devices.

Others help disabled individuals and their families understand Disability Rights. They can learn what benefits they may be eligible for and how to go about receiving them.

Are you concerned about a child’s safety?

Need to safely surrender a newborn?

Are you feeling overwhelmed with the stresses of parenthood? Do you need to speak with someone about it?
 
There are resources available that can assist you.
 

Find…
Child Abuse Reporting
Safe Surrender for Newborns
Parent Stress Lines

Becoming an adoptive or foster parent can be a difficult legal and emotional process. Find a program that can help you through the transition of becoming an adoptive or foster parent. You can also find a support group to get you through the mental and emotional obstacles involved.


Find…
Adoption Counseling and Support
Adoption and Foster / Kinship Care Support Groups
Foster Home Licensing

Military Family Support Centers can offer a variety of services to service members, their families, and veterans.

These include:

  • Information & Referral
  • Relocation Assistance
  • Family Employment Readiness
  • Financial Counseling
  • General Counseling
  • Marital/Family counseling
  • Children/Family counseling
  • Life Skills Education
  • New Parent Support
  • Family Advocacy
  • Sexual Assault Victim Intervention

Find…
Military Family Service / Support Centers

Dial 2-1-1 or text your zip code to 898-211 for more help.

2-1-1 is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week AND is free, confidential, and available in multiple languages.

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