Family Resources
If you, a friend, a family member or someone you know needs family or parenting support (including mental health services) resources are available:
Family Support
Family Respite Programs
Caring for a child with behavioral health needs can be demanding. Take a break. Respite care is short-term care for children ages 6-17. Children with a behavioral health diagnosis are eligible for short-term care.
Child Mind Institute
When a child is struggling, the whole family is affected. The Child Mind Institute wants to help you make good decisions for your kids and navigate the challenges of parenting. They explore the concerns and challenges they hear about most from parents and provide expert guidance on how to respond in the most effective way.
Pennsylvania 211. Get Connected, Get Help.
If you need to connect with resources in your community, but don’t know where to look, PA 211 is a great place to start. From help with a utilities bill, to housing assistance, after-school programs for kids, and more, you can dial 211 or text your zip code to 898-211 to talk with a resource specialist for free. Specialists will listen to your needs, and give you information on programs in your community that might be able to help.
Visit the search page to explore programs available in your community by categories such as financial assistance, housing, and food.
Infants and Children
The Office of Children and Family Services, (OCF) City of Philadelphia
The Office of Children and Families (OCF) aligns the City’s policies, resources, and services for children and families. The priorities are: Safe children, strong families and supported schools. OCF administers a number of City-supported programs, including Out-of-School Time, WorkReady, Community Schools, PHLpreK, and Access Centers. They also oversee the Department of Human Services (DHS) and the Philadelphia Children and Families Cabinet.
Community Behavioral Health (CBH)
If your child needs mental health services (regardless of insurance) you can connect to Community Behavioral Health to seek guidance on the best support and treatment provider near you.
Department of Human Services(DHS) Philadelphia
DHS General Information and Customer Service: 215-683- 4DHS (4347)
Location: 1515 Arch Street, Philadelphia PA 19102
DHS provides and promotes safety, permanency, and well-being for children and youth at risk of abuse, neglect and delinquency.
Being a parent can be challenging. Whether you are single, a dad or mom, a teen, foster, kin, or an incarcerated parent, DHS is here to support you by providing free resources such as classes and support groups, and Parent Café’s where you have a chance to connect with other parents.
* To confidentially report abuse or neglect, call: 215-683-6100 or the PA State hotline: 1-800-932-0313
Early Intervention
Maternity Care Coalition
The mission of Maternity Care Coalition is to improve the health and well-being of pregnant women and parenting families, and enhance school readiness for children 0-3.
Intellectual disAbility Services (IDS)
A division of Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services, IDS is responsible for two state-funded programs: the Infant Toddler Early Intervention Program and Intellectual disAbility Services.
CAP4Kids.org
Are you looking for reliable, up-to-date information about resources in the Philadelphia area for children and families? You’ve come to the right place! Cap4Kids will help you find many community agencies that exist to improve or enhance the lives of children, teens and families.
ChildLink
ChildLink/Philadelphia County provides service coordinators who help children from birth to age three residing in Philadelphia who have developmental delays or disabilities, and their families obtain supports and services.
The Center for Autism
The oldest autism treatment center in the country is a leading provider of services in the Philadelphia region. The Center knows that each person with autism is unique and tailors its programs to the needs of each person and family.
Phone: 215-873-3400
Email
To Our Children’s Future with Health
This is a community-based, non-profit agency established in 1992. Our Mission is to empower youth, adults, and communities toward healthy living by providing comprehensive community health and education services.
Penn Center for Mental Health -Clinical Services
Our clinical team provides a range of clinical services to youth both through our work here at the Center as well as in partnership with Hall Mercer Community Mental Health. Our team is dedicated to improving the lives and well-being of youth in need of mental health services. All clinical services we provide are guided by the most recent scientific understanding of the needs of mental health consumers and their families.
Temple University Child and Adolescent Anxiety Disorders Clinic
The Temple University Child and Adolescent Anxiety Disorders Clinic provides cognitive behavioral therapy to children and adolescents with anxiety disorders. In addition to clinical work, they are always further evaluating the effectiveness of their approaches. The CAADC is staffed by advanced doctoral graduate students who are supervised by licensed Ph.D. clinical psychologists. Therapy is offered on a sliding scale.
Support Groups and Guidance
Resources for new parents who live in Philadelphia
Find resources, support groups, and helpful information on parenting
Family Resource Network (FRN)
They provide support for family members, significant person, professionals, and others supporting someone with a behavioral health disorder. Through FRN, families can acquire more immediate information about the behavioral health treatment process and are connected with their choice of support or education groups.
Phone: (215) 599-5176
Email
PA Parent and Family Alliance
They provide support and resources for parents and caregivers like yourself whose children (up to age 26) may be experiencing a variety of challenges ranging from social and emotional to behavior and mental health struggles, inclusive of learning disabilities, autism and substance use disorders. They are here to guide you in finding a way forward, no matter how difficult the road ahead may seem. Parenting a child is an action of love, and we are here to navigate the journey with you by providing the best tools and resources available for you and your family.
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Support Groups for Family Members
NAMI provides support groups for families and caretakers of children, young adults and adults, as well as groups for individuals living with mental health conditions. Groups are offered across the city to serve all families.
Parenting Plus
Parenting classes and support offered through Mental Health Partnerships (Now at 833 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia.) A warm and welcoming 12-session parenting education series for parents or caregivers living with a mental health condition. All services and supports are free or charge.
Find Your Village In the City
Meet new parents, find resources, and share your journey as a parent!
Cradles to Crayons
Provides children, from birth through age 12, living in homeless or low-income situations, with the essential items they need to thrive – at home, at school and at play. They supply these items free of charge by engaging and connecting communities with communities that need.
Address: 30 Clipper Rd, PO Box 779, West Conshohocken, PA 19428
Phone: 215-836-0958
Parents Involved Network
A peer-to-peer run program that assists parents/caregivers of children and adolescents with behavioral health challenges. PIN provides information, support, referrals and advocacy; assists parents/caregivers to acquire services from all state, local, or private child-serving systems.
Caring for Older Adults
CARIE
CARIE’s programs extend to the entire state of Pennsylvania and beyond. CARIE is a leader in providing direct assistance to the elderly, their families, and professionals in the aging field. Through telephone contacts and site visits to Philadelphia-area long term care facilities, the agency assists older people and their caregivers to assess needs, identify service resources, and make the necessary connections to resolve elder care issues.
LANGUAGE ASSISTANCE SERVICES – They provide an interpreter free of charge for clients.
Call: 215.545.5728
Toll Free: 1-800-356-3606