Learning Center
Center for the Improvement of Child Care (CICC)
CICC is a national non-profit organization that provides parents skill-building programs that the programs educate parents as to how they can raise their children in an environment free of abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Additionally, CICC advocates at all levels of government for more caring treatment of children and ways for parents to be involved to accomplish this goal.
We believe that the greatest gift that can be given to the children of America - to the children of the world - is the gift of effective parenting.
When children are effectively parented, they feel better about themselves and their abilities. They enter school excited and ready to learn. And, they are more likely to both achieve to their fullest potential at school and to make positive contributions to community life.
This organization’s goals are to prevent child abuse and neglect, and to strengthen families. Using self-help support groups, parents and guardians have the ability to discuss parenting tools with others. And while parents or guardians are in these meetings, children can participate in educational and social development programs. Circle of Friends has affiliated groups in the following states: WA, ID, MT, CO, ND, SD, NE, KS, TX, MN, MO, IL, WI, MI, TN, MS, LA, FL, NC, VA, PA, CT, RI, MA, CT, NH, ME, and VT.
"Most men think they don't have a problem and won't talk to anyone else. In my group we teach sharing, which teaches that it's ok to be vulnerable and to ask for help. You can't always do it alone. And certainly it's ok to show your feelings. This helps fathers get in touch with their children on a much more emotional level. My relationship with my children was much better once I got involved with these groups." group participant
National Resource Center for Family Support and Children's Mental Health
This organization’s focus is to provide families and their children with mental, emotional, or behavior disorders with services that involve the community and families. Respect for cultural differences is also of importance.
Our research is designed to promote the transformation of mental health care by increasing knowledge of supports, services, and policies that:
- Build on family strengths;
- Are community based, family driven, and youth guided;
- Promote cultural competence; and
- Are based on evidence of effectiveness.
National Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
Since 1897 the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) has been an advocate on behalf of the nation’s youth. The PTA works to develop a better education for America’s youth and works to oster greater parent involvement in the lives of their children, the PTA at the community, state, and national level also works to improve the general well-being of the country’s youth. Some of the programs that the PTA provides are workshops to improve youth nutrition and a career planning program in collaboration with the United States Department of Labor.
NCFY: Information for Parents and Community Members
NCFY is an organization where communities and families can obtain information on issues of youth and families. They also help in providing information sharing, publication development, outreach, and reading room. Additionally, NCFY, in partnership with organizations and communities, provides at-risk youth the opportunity gain positive self-images.
A resource organization for teens and their parents on critical teen issues, such as suicide and teen pregnancy. They also provide referrals to a teen maternity program, treatment facilities, among others. Teen Help is operated by 1-800-run-away that has been helping parents and teens at home or away from home for 30 years. On-line contact here, or call 1-800-run-away. They aways listen, never judge, and help if you want them to.