Online Resources

Parent Support
Berkeley Parents Network - Hook up with a lively newsgroup of 4,000-plus parents in and around Berkeley who exchange information, advice, recommendations and more on child-related issues.

California Smokers' Helpline - Call 1-800-NO-BUTTS for help to quit smoking. The free helpline provides self-help materials, a referral list of other programs, and one-on-one counseling over the phone.

Healthy Families - Find information about health insurance for California families that are not eligible for MediCal.

Judicial Council of California - Find free and low-cost legal help and information regarding families and children, divorce, child support, guardianship, small claims domestic violence and more.

Parental Stress - Get counseling and support when you're at your wits' end.

Through The Looking Glass - Find direct services, training, materials and research concerning families in which a child, parent or grandparent has a disability or medical issue.

Child Care Referrals
California Child Care Resource & Referral Network - To find a California Child Care Resource and Referral Agency outside of Alameda County start here.

Child Care Aware - To find a Child Care Resource and Referral Agency outside of California start here.

TrustLine - Check whether a caregiver has been cleared through a fingerprint screening with the California Department of Justice. (The site also shows providers how to get registered.) (800-822-8490)

Child Care Licensing Information
Community Care Licensing - Learn about licensing requirements and get licensed

Advocacy
Alameda County Children and Families First - Find out what's being done to improve life for young children and their families.

Children's Defense Fund - Learn about national advocacy on behalf of children.

Child Care Action Campaign - Connect with major media campaigns for children.

Child Care Law Center - Get legal tools which can affect change for child care.

California Legislation - Check out current California legislation.

Infant Toddler Consortium - Get involved in this statewide organization of child care professionals which promotes quality, nurturing care for infants and toddlers.

On the Capitol Doorstep - Try the printed advocacy tools for the California Legislature.

Parent Voices - Join this grassroots group of parents in advocating for affordable, quality child care.

Stand for Children - Find out how to do more for children.

Professional and Research Information
ACKids - Find out how to apply for professional stipends for Alameda County child care providers, as well as what loans and grants are available for child care centers.

Alameda County Child Abuse Prevention Council - Find out about how to prevent, detect and respond to child abuse. The Child Abuse Prevention Council also provides a thorough guide for mandated reporters, including child care providers, to report cases of suspected child abuse.

I Am Your Child - Get information about this campaign which helps educate parents on the new discoveries in brain and early childhood development.

National Organization for the Education of Young Children - Connect to the largest organization helping early childhood professionals improve the quality of education programs for children birth to eight years old.

Zero to Three - Get information and research regarding infants and toddlers.

Center for Child Care Workforce - Find out about bringing fair wages to those who provide child care in the United States.

ERIC/EEECE Educational Resources Information Center on Elementary and Early Childhood Education - Access a resource information system with an extensive body of early education literature and ask questions on child development, child care, parenting and child rearing.

California Early Childhood Mentor Project - Get information about how mentoring is available for improving the quality of child care in California.

National Child Care Information Center - Support quality, comprehensive services for children and families.

National Family Child Care Association - Learn more about the Family Child Care field in the United States.

Alameda County's Local Child Care Planning Council - Find local information on projects and policy issues.