Raising Children
Talking with other relatives raising children can be a tremendous source of information and support. Find a support group of other relative's caring for children.
Information and referral
The Family Health Hotline Take advantage of a free, statewide hotline providing information and referral on health and finding services related to raising children. They can help you with questions on health insurance, nutrition, immunization, child care, child development, children with special needs, and parent/sibling support. Call 1-800-322-2588 (TTY 711) or go to: Within Reach- Essential Resources for Family Health website.
The Family Help Line is a statewide, toll-free line offering information and referral; assistance with problem-solving; advocacy; coaching and support; and that increasingly rare commodity – a listening ear. The Family Help Line is a service of Parent Trust for Washington Children. Further information - including a searchable database of resources, classes, groups, and events in Washington State – can be found at Family Help Line or by calling the Family Help Line at 1-800-932-HOPE (4673).
Through the Eyes of a Child is a useful series of nine fact sheets for grandparents raising grandchildren (birth to age eight) on child development, family relationships, and the importance of contact with birth parents. To read or download the information visit University of Wisconsin Cooperative Extension Fact Sheets.
Helpful Fact Sheets for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren offers 14 different fact sheets on a variety of topics for grandparents who are providing primary care for their grandchildren. (Also available in Spanish). Developed by University of Georgia, Cooperative Extension, Family and Consumer Sciences. See Grandparents Raising Grandchildren website.
Training
Training opportunities for relative caregivers, foster parents, and adoptive parents are available at no cost through the Resource Family Training Institute (RFTI). You will find a listing of available classroom training, interactive on-line training, and videos. Visit the Resource Family Training website.
The Parenting a Second Time Around (PASTA) Facilitator Training is available annually, in one or two locations around the state. This two day, low-cost on-site training focuses on a curriculum developed by Cornell Cooperative Extension. It helps prepare participants to conduct workshops in their local communities. For more information contact 1-800-422-3263 or email haupthp@dshs.wa.gov.
Resources for a Child with a Developmental Disability and/or Delay
Early intervention services, for children, birth to three, are available through the Washington State Early Support for Infants and Toddler’s (ESIT) program.
If you care for a child with a disability or have a concern about a child’s development, birth to three, call the Family Health Hotline at 1-800-322-2588 or Ask for the name of a Family Resources Coordinator (FRC) in your local community. The FRC will help you find out if a child you care for is eligible for early intervention services. You do not need a referral from a doctor to call. The WithinReach website provides essential resources for family health.
For more information about Early Support for Infants and Toddlers (formerly ITEIP)
visit their website or call (360) 725-3500.
Please Ask, Babies Can’t Wait
Services for individuals diagnosed with a developmental disability and/or delay may be available through DSHS' Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) . For more information visit the DDD website.
A parent advocate within DSHS' Mental Health Division can be reached at 1-800-446-0259, extension 1.
Community Connectors are parents and caregivers raising children with emotional, behavioral or mental disorders. They provide support, information and assist with problem-solving issues. To find out more or to request A Parent’s Guide to the Public Mental Health System booklet call the Mental Health Parent Advocate at 1-800-446-0259, extension 1. For more information about available mental health services visit the DSHS Mental Health website.
A variety of pamphlets, brochures, periodicals, research reports, fact sheets, training, videos on a variety of substance abuse topics are available through The Washington State Alcohol/Drug Clearinghouse.
Call the Clearinghouse at 206-725-9696 (from Seattle or out of Washington State ) or toll free at 1-800-662-9111 (from within Washington State ) or visit the Clearinghouse website.
Tips on a variety of topics for relatives who have taken over the care of a child when parents' drug or alcohol use has left them unable to care for their children through the Children of Alcoholics Foundation (COAF) Ties That Bind Project. Visit the COAF's website.
Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) matches caring adult mentors with children ages 7-16, to make a positive impact in their lives. Extra training is provided for mentors and families matched in our Children of Incarcerated Parents Program. For more information, contact Big Brothers Big Sisters at 1-877-700-2447 or visit the go to the Big Brothers Big Sisters website.
Information and resources for families and professionals may be found at http://www.dshs.wa.gov/incarcerated.
Childhood Disrupted: Understanding the Features and Effects of Maternal Incarceration, November 2010, produced by Wilder Research and supported by Volunteers of America.
