Resources for Parents

American Red Cross www.sdarc.org
The vision of the American Red Cross - San Diego/Imperial Counties is to become America's most prepared community. We serve to relieve human suffering by preventing, preparing for, and responding to emergencies.The Red Cross is not a governmental agency, and relies on community donations of time and money to do its work. The San Diego/Imperial Counties chapter, founded in 1898, responds to an emergency nearly every 24 hours.The American Red Cross is guided by seven fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.In 2008-09, our chapter offered the following services:

• Community education - provided training for 91,000 people in health and safety classes including disaster preparedness, First Aid, CPR, and aquatics.
• Disaster response and relief - responded to 229 disasters: fires, floods, storms & hazardous materials.
• Services to the Armed Forces (SAF) - provided emergency social services to military personnel and their families, more than 20,000 total cases and assistance to 2,000 families per month.
• Women, Infants, and Children Program (WIC) (state contract) - nutrition counseling for pregnant and breastfeeding women, infants, and children under the age of five; 36,500 clients per month.

This chapter serves more than 3 million people in San Diego County, covering 4,255 square miles, and 150,000 people in Imperial County, covering 4,597 square miles.

County of San Diego www.211SanDiego.org
What is 211? Every hour of every day, someone in San Diego County searches for services, from substance abuse treatment to care for a child or aging parent, food, housing or financial assistance. More than 2,000 community agencies provide 5,000 health and human service programs. Finding your way through this maze can seem insurmountable. Where do you start? With 211, help starts with one little number. 211 Beyond San Diego CountyThough only introduced in 1997, 211 dialing already reaches 198 million people across the nation. Well over 65 percent of the country has access to 211 (for more information, see 211.org). In California, 18 counties have active 211 dialing service.

Department of Child Support Services www.childsup.cahwnet.gov
California's Child Support Services Program works with parents - custodial and noncustodial - and guardians to ensure children and families receive court-ordered financial and medical support. Child support services are available to the general public through a network of 52 county and regional child support agencies (LCSAs).

Employment Development Department www.caljobs.ca.gov
California's Internet system for linking employer joblistings and job seeker résumés.

Escondido Adult School/ROP www.childsup.cahwnet.gov
Welcome to Escondido Adult School/ROP! Our program has been serving the Escondido and surrounding communities since 1968. As an integral part of the Escondido Union High School District, we have been meeting the academic, vocational and enrichment needs of our students through our adult education, Regional Occupational Program (ROP) and community education courses. Approximately 10,000 students enroll in our classes each year that are offered at twenty-seven locations throughout the city. To meet this need, our program currently employs 87 teachers and 36 support staff. To meet the needs of students, we offer a variety of instructional delivery methods that include open-entry/open-exit programs where students can begin classes at any time; structured classes that have definite starting and ending points; and even on-line learning. Classes are conducted from 8:00am until 9:15pm so they are accessible to meet the schedules of our adult students. More importantly, many of our classes are free or have very nominal charges. Whether you are looking to refresh your academic skills, receive short –term vocational training, or just looking to have some fun, Escondido Adult School/ROP is sure to have something for you.

Escondido Public Library www.library.escondido.org

Family Health Centers of San Diego www.fhcsd.org
Family Health Centers of San Diego is a community health center founded in 1970. Our mission is to ensure all persons in San Diego have access to affordable, high quality healthcare. Anyone is welcome to seek care at Family Health Centers of San Diego. We provide affordable services to all income levels, with a special commitment to low income, uninsured individuals. Please click on the links below to learn more about the extensive array of medical, dental and mental healthcare services offered at our many locations in San Diego County.For more information, or to make an appointment, please call us at (619) 515-2300.

Health & Human Services Agency www.sdcounty.ca.gov/hhsa/
The Health and Human Services Agency is one of five groups or divisions of the San Diego County government. The Agency provides a broad range of health and social services, promoting wellness, self-sufficiency, and a better quality of life for all individuals and families in San Diego County.The Agency integrates health and social services through a unified service-delivery system. This system is family focused and community-based, reflective of business principles in which services are delivered in a cost-effective and outcome-driven fashion.

Healthy Families www.healthyfamilies.ca.gov
Healthy Families is low cost insurance for children and teens.It provides health, dental and vision coverage to children who do not have insurance and do not qualify for free Medi-Cal

Joslyn Senior Center www.ci.escondido.ca.us/facilities/joslyn
Jointly funded by the City, County, and private donations, the Joslyn Senior Center offers a wide range of services and programs to older adults, with membership starting at age 50.

L.E.A.P. Learning Early, Adventures in Parenting - Parenting Classes

Legal Aid Society of San Diego www.lassd.org
Legal Aid is available to low income individuals & disadvantaged communities for a variety of legal problems, including consumer, family disputes, welfare and health benefits, immigration and poverty law issues such as landlord/tenant disputes, disability support and family benefits payments. Federal Poverty Income Guidelines determine eligibility for free legal services.Our staff of expert legal workers will help you and your family resolve your legal problems free of charge. Call as soon as a problem exists.

National Alliance on Mental Health www.nami-northcoastal.org
NAMI North Coastal San Diego County (NAMI NCSDC) is a grassroots, family and consumer self-help support and advocacy organization of families and individuals whose lives have been affected by serious mental illness.The mission of NAMI NCSDC is to inspire and support those with brain disorders and their families; to educate and inform the community; and to work to erase the stigma of brain disorders. NMMI NCSDC is dedicated to the eradication of mental illness and to the improvements of the quality of life of all whose lives are affected by these diseases

North County Food Bank www.northcountycommunityservices.org/food-bank
North County's Food BankOver the past 20 years, North County's Food Bank has grown from a small cooperative serving 5 agencies to a full-blown food banking system serving over 75 agency partners and their clients. Food distribution through the program has increased a remarkable 1,275% since its inception, and today serves every community in Northern San Diego County.Working with our agency partners in addition to direct food distribution sites, senior outreach initiatives and our other emergency food relief services, North County's Food Bank now serves over 18,000 individuals each month.As the only true food bank in Northern San Diego County, North County's Food Bank operates through a highly efficient system that manages deliveries, pick-ups and distribution of food and other essential items.On a weekly basis, approved agencies are able to get necessary items for their clients, by coming to NCCS's centrally located warehouse or in limited cases through scheduled delivery to their facilities. Agencies participating with the Food Bank are working with low income, homeless, or seniors living on limited incomes that need assistance with weekly meals. North County's Food Bank is vital to the long-term success of these agencies as well as other vulnerable populations.

North County Interfaith www.interfaithservices.org
To promote mutual understanding and respect among the member faiths; to deal with issues which affect the religious community; to share the members' concern for these problems; to voice these concerns when, by common consent, the members feel that moral leadership is needed; and to implement programs for basic needs, social services, counseling, and economic development which will empower the disadvantaged in our community.

North County Transit District www.gonctd.com
North County Transit District's mission is to deliver safe, convenient, reliable and user-friendly public transportation services. Our vision is to build an integrated transit system that enables our customers to travel easily and efficiently throughout our growing region.

Palomar Family Counseling www.palomar.edu/healthservices/community/counsel.html
The mission of Palomar College Health Services is to support student learning for success. This goal is achieved by supporting the physical, emotional, and social well being of students through accessible, high quality health and wellness services. The primary goal is to assist students in establishing healthy lifestyles, which will have long-term benefits for them, their families, and the community. Palomar College Heath Services is also committed to ensuring a healthy and safe environment that supports student learning and staff productivity.

Palomar Family YMCA www.palomar.ymca.org
Palomar Family YMCA is dedicated to improving the quality of human life and to helping all people realize their fullest potential as children of God through development of the spirit, mind and body.

Planned Parenthood www.plannedparenthood.org
Planned Parenthood believes in the fundamental right of each individual, throughout the world, to manage his or her fertility, regardless of the individual's income, marital status, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, or residence. We believe that respect and value for diversity in all aspects of our organization are essential to our well-being. We believe that reproductive self-determination must be voluntary and preserve the individual's right to privacy. We further believe that such self-determination will contribute to an enhancement of the quality of life and strong family relationships. Based on these beliefs, and reflecting the diverse communities within which we operate, the mission of Planned Parenthood is

• to provide comprehensive reproductive and complementary health care services in settings which preserve and protect the essential privacy and rights of each individual
  
• to advocate public policies which guarantee these rights and ensure access to such services
  
• to provide educational programs which enhance understanding of individual and societal implications of human sexuality
  
•  to promote research and the advancement of technology in reproductive health care and encourage understanding of their inherent bioethical, behavioral, and social implications

Salvation Army www.escondidosalvationarmy.org
The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.

San Diego County Office of Education www.thinkplaycreate.org

San Diego Regional Center www.sdrc.org
The San Diego Regional Center (SDRC) is a service of San Diego-Imperial Counties Developmental Services Inc. SDRC is a focal point in the community for information and services for persons with developmental disabilities living in San Diego and Imperial Counties, California. We are a private, non-profit 501 c(3) organization which contracts with the state of California to provide the services outlined in the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act. There are 20 other regional centers throughout the state.

San Marcos Library www.ci.san-Marcos.tx.us/library.htm

SD County Centralized Child Care Eligibility List (CEL) www.childcaresandiego.com
Centralized Eligibility List (CEL) systems are located in every county in California. Our local San Diego County CEL is here to support families in need of help paying for child care. In San Diego County, the YMCA Childcare Resource Service administers the CEL. · Traditionally each child development agency kept a list of children waiting to enroll. · The San Diego County CEL is a system that combines all of these separate lists, eliminates duplicates, and allows subsidized child development agencies to find children that are eligible for their programs. · The term "eligibility" is used because families are ranked by eligibility factors such as income, family size and need.

Sunny Days www.sunnydays.com
Welcome to Sunny Days Early Childhood Developmental Services, Inc.! Founded in 1994 by two Healthcare Professionals, Joyce Salzberg, LCSW and Donna Maher, RN, they bring a combined 45 years of experience working with children with developmental disabilities and their families to the Early Intervention community.Sunny Days is an Early Intervention Provider serving children from birth to three years with developmental needs. Our services are provided wherever children and families typically find themselves, whether it be the home; child care settings or other community locations (parks; playgrounds; shopping; etc.). We provide a full range of services, including Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy and Psychological services, specifically tailored to each child's Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP). Our practitioners design intervention strategies that are built around a family's daily routines and activities. Depending upon location, Sunny Days can provide all necessary services including initial evaluations (to determine eligibility) and all IFSP authorized services to individuals of all developmental levels ages 0-3.Sunny Days also provides pediatric home care for children up to 18 years of age. Sunny Days offers a variety of personalized and individualized services according to the specific needs of each child and family. All staff have specialized experience in both Early Intervention and Pediatric home care.

The Fellowship Center www.thefelloshipcenter.org

The New Children's Museum www.thinkplaycreate.org

Vista Branch Library www.librarytechnology.org

WIC Program www.wic-sdsu.org
To our community we promote healthy eating, provide education on healthful living, encourage and support breastfeeding and offer referrals to health and community resource agencies. WIC is a temporary assistance program for women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or who have recently had a baby and for children under five years of age. These individuals must be low-income and have a nutritional need for the program. WIC is available to participants who meet these criteria regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age or handicap. WIC is intended to improve the health of its participants during critical times of growth and development thus preventing health problems. WIC is dedicated to helping participants improve their health status by providing supplemental foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding education and support, and referral to health care and other social services for women and children who receive WIC services.

Nutrition Websites

Team Nutrition        http://teamnutrition.usda.gov/

Team Nutrition is an initiative of the USDA Food and Nutrition Service to support the Child Nutrition Programs through training and technical assistance for foodservice, nutrition education for children and their caregivers, and school and community support for healthy eating and physical activity.

Fruits and Veggies - More Matters        http://www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org/

We all know that fruits and vegetables add important nutrition to our diets. But how much should we eat? And how can we make this nutrition stuff easier, tastier and more enjoyable? To answer these and other questions, Produce for Better Health Foundation offers the Fruits & Veggies-More Matters  health initiative.  In simple, user-friendly ways, the Fruits & Veggies-More Matters health initiative offers expert cooking advice, nutrition information and shopping tips. Most importantly, this program demonstrates that eating MORE fruits and vegetables does matter to all of us.  It's a great way to stay healthy and a perfect fit for busy lives. Look to us as your go to experts on fruits, vegetables, and good health. Then spread the word, far and wide, that fruits and veggies provide the unrivaled combination of great taste, nutrition, abundant variety and multiple product forms.

California WIC         http://www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/wicworks/Pages/default.aspx

WIC is a federally-funded health and nutrition program for women, infants, and children.  WIC helps families by providing checks for buying healthy supplemental foods from WIC-authorized vendors, nutrition education, and help finding healthcare and other community services.  Participants must meet income guidelines and be pregnant women, new mothers, infants or children under age five.  In California, 82 WIC agencies provide services locally to over 1.4 million women, infants and children each month at over 600 sites throughout the State.