What Role Can Parents Play?

Being a parent or caregiver of kids isn’t easy - but you are not alone.

ROE+parents+2.jpg — Parents:

You’re doing a hard and very important job - and it can be stressful. As parents, all of us sometimes need help. At other times, we’re in a position to give it.
Our goal is that wherever you live in Lane County, you and your family are supported, connected, and have what you need.

What Can You Do?

Information is power.

If you’d like info on parenting kids at different age levels or meetings for parents, check out Lane Kids, especially the Triple P Positive Parenting Program, or Parenting Now.

Ask for help in times of crisis.

Safe Families for Children provides temporary respite care for children and gives families in crisis a network of support while they get back on their feet.

Learn more about Early Childhood CARES.

Early Childhood CARES provides early intervention, early childhood special education, and free development screenings for children newborn to age 5.

Expecting a baby - or know someone who is?

Find out more about the Welcome Baby Box here.

Talk it through with parents in similar situations.

Parent Cafés are an opportunity to have structured conversations about parenting issues and shared concerns. This program has been chosen as a strategy by many regions in Lane County and will be launching soon.

Get the information you need to make sure your baby is healthy.

Oregon’s Babies First! is a public health nurse home visiting program. The Nurse-Family Partnership can also help first-time parents know what to expect as their babies grow. Florence’s Pregnancy and Parenting Center offers parenting education classes and playgroups with the opportunity to earn “baby credits” to be used at our Stork Boutique to get diapers, clothes, and supplies.

Counseling resources are available.

CAFA is a faith-based mental health agency offering services and support to adults, children and families. Options Counseling and Family Services uses a family centered approach, in which the primary resource is the parents’ own knowledge of their strengths and needs. Other counseling centers include the Center for Healthy Relationships at the UO and the Center for Community Counseling.

Being a parent means being on call 24 hours a day.

For emotional support and empowerment, call the National Parent Hotline at 1-855-4A-PARENT

Ensure School Success

The Early Learning Alliance, which supports Family Resource Centers, Preschool Promise (free, high-quality preschool to 3- and 4-year-olds whose families live at 200% of the federal poverty level), and KITS (Kids in Transition to School).

Ask your child’s school to bring Roots of Empathy to first- and second-grade classrooms.

This groundbreaking program teaches students compassion and reduce bullying through interactions with an infant and caregiver.

Reach out for assistance.

For concrete support, like household goods, organizations like Catholic Community Services and FOOD for Lane County can help. Centro Latino Americano provides food boxes, housing referrals, mental health programs, and more. In West Lane, S.H.A.L.O.M. offers free clothing and small household items.

Looking for resources?

Parenting Now! and LaneKids have put together this resource directory with information on everything from child care to financial assistance to counseling services.

Need more information?

PreventionLane offers a list of local parenting classes, a resource library, and answers for parents on tough topics like underage drinking, drug use, and Internet safety.

Concerned for your safety, or your kids’?

The Hope & Safety Alliance or the National Domestic Violence Hotline can help.

Looking for parenting support?

The Relief Nursery is a valuable resource in Lane County, and Healthy Families Oregon is a free family support and parent education home visiting program that focuses on strengthening the parent-child relationship to assure healthy child growth and development. Lane County WIC provides nutrition and breastfeeding support.

Struggling with post-partum depression?

Wellmama can help.

Questions about your child’s development?

The American Academy of Pediatrics’ HealthChildren.org has information on kids of every age, from toddlers to teens. Read up on everything from toilet training to dating and making friends at school.

Get info for every age.

LaneKids also organizes information by age, from babies to toddlers to elementary schoolers to tweens and teens.

Volunteer with your child.

Giving back makes you feel good and your child feel good, and instills in them, and demonstrates the importance of giving back when they’re able - and that it’s okay to accept help as well.

Join 5,000 Strong

Support prevention efforts by joining5,000 Strong, a campaign by Friends of 90by30 to raise funds for and awareness of 90by30’s work. One key way to be part of 5,000 Strong is to share your commitment with your friends and family!