Helpful Links for Parents

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.

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

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)

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 - Add your voice to this group of parents working for quality, affordable child care.

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

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

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.

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