Resources for New Parents
General Information and Referrals
· Children’s Hospital Resource Line, for basic health information: (206)526-2500
· Crisis Line: 24 hour phone support and info for any personal / family crisis. (206)461-3222
· Family Help Line: Referral to parent support groups and parenting-related crisis line (between 9 am - 11 pm) 1-800-932-HOPE (4673) or (206)233-0139
· Within Reach. Info on free or low cost medical insurance, health care providers, WIC, free or low cost immunizations, birth control, etc. 1-800-322-2588. www.withinreachwa.org
· PEPS Family Resource Guide. (206)547-8570 or www.pepsgroup.org/familyresources/default.htm
· Transition to Parenthood Resource Guide: www.transitiontoparenthood.com/ttp/resources/Seattle.htm
Breastfeeding Support / Lactation consultants
· Community Birth & Family Center: free hotline for breastfeeding questions. Home visits and clinic visits available. Pager: 206-615-8078.
· King County Breastfeeding Resource Guide. www.breast-friends.org
· La Leche League. Monthly group meetings, phone counseling. (206)522-1336 www.lalecheleague.org
· Listings for lots of local resources: www.metrokc.gov/health/breastfeeding
Education and Support for New Parents
· PEPS – Program for Early Parent Support. Newborn program: begins when babies are newborn to 4 months; meet once a week for 4 months. Drop-in groups for families of children up to age 3; in English or Spanish. (206)547-8570 www.pepsgroup.org
· First Weeks. Drop-in groups for parents and babies under 12 weeks of age. Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday noon to 2:00 at Community Birth & Family Center in Eastlake. www.communitybirth.org
· Listening Mothers. www.family-services.org click on new mothers programs or (206)521-8093
· More support groups are listed at www.transitiontoparenthood.com/ttp/resources/Seattle.htm
Parent Education Programs for Parents and Children
Several local community colleges offer parent education programs for parents and their children, from birth through age 5. Programs may include: mom and baby playtimes, toddler groups, and co-operative pre-schools. Generally a fairly low-cost opportunity for recreation, making new friends, art and music activities for kids, and parent education and peer support. Contact:
· North Seattle C.C. (206) 206-528-4625.
· South Seattle C.C. (206)938-2278.
· Bellevue C.C. (425) 564-2365.
· Shoreline C.C. (206) 546-4593.
· Seattle Central (206)587-6906.
· Edmonds (425) 640-1665.
· Highline 878-3710 x3460
· Lake Washington Technical College, (425)739-8100.
· Renton Tech College, (425)235-2352.
Birth Certificate Information
Vital Statistics. (360) 236-4313. www.vitalrec.com/wa.html
Health and Safety
· Car Seat Checks: Safety Restraint Coalition 1-800-BUCKL-UP or www.800bucklup.org (click on “car seat checkups”
· Car Seat Information: www.nhtsa.gov/CPS/ or www.boosterseat.org
· Information about home safety and product recalls: www.cpsc.gov
· Sleep Safety: www.sidsalliance.org SIDS / Reducing the Risk: www.sids.org/nprevent.htm
· More Sleep Safety: www.mothering.com/articles/new_baby/sleep/safety-checklist.html
· Poison Center: 1-800-222-1222 or 1-800 - 732-6985
· Immunizations: Pro – www.immunize.org and www.vaccine.org. Con – www.909shot.com
· Public Health Department - home visits by nurses, mother/infant groups, medical clinic, family planning, Medicaid and WIC program, immunizations. (206)296-4786
Child Care
· Childcare Resource and Referral Network (WA / DSHS) www.childcarenet.org or 1-800-446-1114
· Childcare Resources (non-profit organization) www.childcare.org or (206) 329-5544
· Comprehensive Child Care Program - Financial aid for child care for Seattle-resident working parents. You may be eligible for at least some assistance even if you make up to $45,000 a year for a family of 3. (206) 386-1050. www.ci.seattle.wa.us/humanservices/fys/children.htm
· Working Connections Child Care Program - Financial aid for child care for Washington state-resident working parents with an annual gross income of less than $31,000 for a family of 3. https://fortress.wa.gov/dshs/f2ws03esaapps/onlinecso/WCCC.asp
Postpartum Resources
· Beyond the Baby Blues groups: (425)450-0332 or www.family-services.org
· Postpartum Support International. Phone support: 888-404-PPMD (7763) www.ppmdsupport.com
· Postpartum Doulas: NW Assoc for Postpartum Support (NAPS) www.naps-doulas.org, 206-956-1955
Family Planning / Birth Control
· For information about methods http://www.metrokc.gov/health/famplan/birthcontrol/choosebc.htm or www.plannedparenthood.org/bc/ or talk to your care provider.
· Take Charge program: Washington residents (US citizens and green cards) with an income of less than $31,000 for a family of three qualify for free exams and free contraceptives, including birth control pills, depo-provera, IUD, condoms, foam, patch, vaginal ring, diaphragm, cervical cap, emergency contraception, vasectomy, and tubal ligation. For the complete list of clinics or care providers: http://www.metrokc.gov/health/insurance/takecharge.htm
Participating providers include:
· Planned Parenthood. 7 locations in Western Washington. www.ppww.org or 1-800-230-PLAN.
· Community Health Centers of King County. 6 centers throughout King County. (425) 277-1311 or http://www.wacmhc.org/chcswashington.html
· Puget Sound Neighborhood Health Centers. 16 sites. www.psnhc.org/ or 206-461-6935
· Public Health – Seattle-King County. 12 sites. http://www.metrokc.gov/health/locations/
Child Development Resources