Local/State Programs
ABOARD (Advisory Board on Autism and Related Disorders)
Support for parents of children with autism/autism spectrum, web site, etc.
Adoption Programs--Department of Public Welfare
Contact: Statewide Adoption Network (SWAN)--Brings together children who need families and families who have been approved to adopt. Brings together all of the adoption process parties and supports families and children through the adoption process.
The Advocacy Alliance
744 N. 19th St., Allentown, PA 18104
610-435-1996
Offers support, advocates.
Alternatives to Abortion--Department of Public Welfare
1-888-LIFEAID
Offers free, caring, confidential and life-affirming options to abortion. Available to individuals who are involved in an unplanned pregnancy, and to parents of infants up to 12 months of age.
Big Brothers/Big Sisters of the Lehigh Valley, Inc.
610-391-1827
Provides male/female role models for children ages 7-14. The program focuses on friendship rather than activities. Volunteers must be 18 years old and a resident of Lehigh/Northampton counties. Volunteers interact with children 3-6 hours per week for a minimum of one year. The children must come from a single parent home. There is a minimum of a one year wait list for boys due to the lack of male volunteers. The wait list is shorter for girls.
Casa Guadalupe Center
610-435-9002
WIC program, parenting skills, life skills development. Services are available free of charge to eligible individuals.
Catholic Charities, Diocese of Allentown
Pregnancy Support Program provides guidance, understanding, and support to women, men and families during and after pregnancy in exploring the positive options of parenting and adoption. Pregnancy Support Services are available to anyone regardless of gender, age, race, religion, income or ethnic background. Types of Services provided: problem-solving and decision-making guidance, free, confidential pregnancy test, pregnancy support counseling and education, assistance with baby-related items (as available), adoption planning, parenting classes, referrals for pre- and post-natal care.
Child Care
View information on the Department of Public Welfare's Child Care Works program, providers, tips to picking a day care provider, etc.
Clases Parentales
Pinebrook Services for Children & Youth, 402 N. Fulton St., Allentown, PA 18102
610-432-3919
Parenting classes for Spanish speakers, free of charge. Classes take place on Thursday evenings€™s from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Childcare is not provided--adult only group.
Club Ophelia
Pathways for Change
610-737-2776
Club Ophelia addresses the ever present problem of relational aggression or "girl bullying." This can include but is not limited to: harassment, exclusion, bullying, threatening, cyber-bullying, test messaging, physical aggression, etc. These types of behaviors are often subtle and go undetected by parents, teachers, and counselors in school. Club Ophelia is a group for girls, ages 10 to 15, facing these issues and is led by therapist, Jodi Merrill, MA. Come see what all the buzz is about.
Council of Spanish Speaking Organizations of the Lehigh Valley
610-868-7800
Babies First Program: education and peer support for young parents with low-income.
Community Services for Children Northeast Regional Key
View information on infant/toddler mental health and how this agency can provide support.
F.A.C.E.S. (Faith, Accountability, Community, Education and Services)
610-588-0880
A non-profit, faith-based, charitable corporation achieving our mission through an Educational Institute and Human Services. Provides individual, family and group therapy, support and interventions to meet various needs.
Family Answers
610-861-9500
Strong Families: A program that offers a fund and interactive way to strengthen your marriage, a relaxed place to meet other couples just like you, support to maintain a healthy marriage and build a strong family, and information about other valuable programs and services.
Family Life Ministries, Catholic Social Agency, Diocese of Allentown
610-435-1541
Divorce & Beyond--A six-week enrichment program intended for separated and divorced men and women, the program covers topics of loss, anger, parenting and healing. It is held regionally. For more information, call Family Life Ministries. Beginning Experience--A special weekend retreat, scheduled twice yearly, offered to separated, divorced and widowed persons seeking resolution of their grief in the loss of their relationship. Individuals who are beyond the initial stages of loss will receive the greatest benefits from these retreats. Ten week support groups are held regionally throughout the year. Call Family Life Ministries for more information. Days of Reflection & Weekend Retreats--These are opportunities for separated and divorced women and men to take time and space so they can develop spiritual resources which will enable them to deal with their experiences. Rainbows For All God's Children--This is a school-based program for children who have experienced loss through death, divorce or separation. It is jointly sponsored by the Department of Education and Family Life Ministries. For further information, contact Sister Barbara Pengitore at the Department of Education at 610-866-0581.
Governor's Commission for Children and Families
List of Health and Human Services, Advocacy Resources, and Parent Guides.
Harrison Morton Middle School Strengthening Families Program
484-765-5700
A 7-week, evidence-based family strength building and prevention education program aimed for middle school students and their parents. For information on when this program is offered, contact Marisol Bracken at the school's main office.
Help In PA
This web site can be very helpful for families. It has access to the entire Special Kids Network database and has information on al of the programs available for children and families that PA offers. You may also order publications/brochures for various programs online.
Lehigh County Office of Children & Youth
View information on abuse, neglect, helpful tips in dealing with stress, and links to other agencies. The Lehigh County Office of Children & Youth is committed to protecting children from abuse and neglect, maintaining children in their own home and community, ensuring access to community-based services parents experiencing difficulty in caring for their children, preserving and stabilizing family life, and assuring that children have a permanent home.
Lehigh Valley Teen Parents
610-865-9640
Provides support and information during the early years of parenting. Matches teen mothers and fathers with a mentor.
MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Drivers)
610-814-6233
Maternal & Family Health Services, Inc.
610-432-3455
WIC nutritional program for pregnant women and children ages 0-5. Family Planning Program, Health Women Program, Nurse Family Partnership (nurse home visits for first time parents which begin during pregnancy and continues for 2 years after the child's birth for women who meet income guidelines.
MetLife's Division of Estate Planning for Special Kids
610-573-5616, Contact: Lisa Moyer, Investment Advisor Representative
Find out information on how to plan for the future of your child with special needs. Get information on Benefit eligibility, guardianship and conservatorship/Guardian Ad Litem, financial security and funding options.
NAMI Hand to Hand Education Program
Eight week program designed to help families of children and adolescents with mental, behavioral, and emotional difficulties.
Our Great Kids--A Journaling Tool for Separated Parents
This site offers visitation calendars, emergency contact lists, vital medication charts, day-to-day journals for kids to write in, and activity calendars and allows divorced parents to log into their child's account to communicate important dates, daily activities and special things that their child did that day. Parents can also exchange photos and receive email alerts to remind them of scheduled activities. Part journal, part organizer, this important book will allow both parents to participate in their child's life together while remaining apart. They'll be able to stay up to date with important appointments, exciting events and the daily behavior of their child.
Parent-To-Parent of Pennsylvania
1-800-986-4550
Network of parents (who have special needs children or adult children) who offer information, support, and advocacy to other parents/families who also have special needs children or adult children. Assists families in locating support groups or develop new support groups. Also offers conferences and trainings.
The Parenting Class/Project Child
610-691-1200
Supports parents and helps them brush up their skills. The facilitator is a licensed psychologist with experience in special needs children.
Parenting Strategies
610-954-1355
Group meets the 2nd Wednesday of every month in the Pricilla Payne Hurd Education Center at St. Luke's from 7:00-8:00 PM.
Parents Anonymous
Hotline for families in need of assistance in coping with daily stress.
1-800-448-4906
Penn State Cooperative Extension.
610-391-9840
Provides educational programs at low cost or no cost to organizations/support groups that request workshops.
Pennsylvania Family Support Alliance
610-433-6556
Parent support and training for raising children.
Pinebrook Services Together Families Parenting Program
610-740-9550
Activities and discussion related to raising children in a nurturing way and how family issues such as substance abuse and truancy impact the care of children.
Post Pardum Hotline
610-776-5470
Program for Women and Families, Inc.
610-433-6556
Parenting programs available to anyone in the community. Parents Anonymous of PA: weekly ongoing educational support groups for parents seeking positive parenting techniques. Eligibility requirements differ for each program.
Project Child
610-691-1200
24 hour hotline/Telephone support for parents who are at-risk of child abuse.
SPARK (Supportive Parental Assistance Raising Kids)
610-559-1004
Offers support to families.
Safe Haven--Department of Public Welfare
1-866-921-SAFE
Provides a safe option for new mothers not ready for motherhood and their newborn babies--with no questions asked. Young women can take comfort in knowing they don't need to abandon their babies because there's a safe alternative. All hospitals in Pennsylvania are safe havens for newborn babies as long as the baby is unharmed and under 28 days old. No one will ask who is dropping off the child or where they live. No one needs to know the woman was pregnant or that a baby was even delivered. Nothing will happen to the parent if the baby is not a victim of abuse or any other crime. The baby will be examined by a doctor and provided any medical care needed. The local children and youth agency will take custody of the baby and find a family for the baby. If you change your mind and want your baby back, you will need to contact your county children and youth agency. Help is also available during pregnancy, someone will help you find services and explore all of the options. A confidential phone number (listed above) is available to explore all options and find additional services.
Sayre Child Center
Provides educational development and social awareness programs.
610-865-5053
Secret Safe
Safe Haven drop site for newborn babies.
Special Kids Network
1-800-986-4550
Helps parents find resources for their special needs children and provide technical assistance to help groups develop and expand and maintain programs and support systems that serve children with special needs.
Women, Infants & Children(WIC)
Casa Guadalupe: 141-143 Linden St., Allentown, 610-435-5673
Lehigh Valley Center: 824 Hamilton St., Allentown, 610-432-3455
The WIC Nutrition Program helps pregnant women, new mothers and young children eat well, learn about nutrition and stay healthy. As a nutrition intervention program, WIC is designed to improve the diets of pregnant and breastfeeding women, infants and children (up to age 5), who are at nutritional risk. By helping to improve access to quality nutrition services and healthy foods, WIC improves infant feeding practices and child development and encourages healthy eating habits that last a lifetime. Who is eligible and who can apply?: pregnant women; women who are breastfeeding a baby under one year of age; women who have had a baby in the past six months; parents, step-parents, guardians, and foster parents of infants and children under the age of 5 can apply for their children, even if you have a job or private health insurance,e you can still apply for WIC. Marital status does not affect your ability to apply. To be eligible, you must qualify for the program, participants must meet WIC income guidelines (a family of four may earn up to $35,798 and be income-eligible), have a nutritional or medical need and live in Pennsylvania. For those who qualify, benefits begin with the first appointment.
Warmline
610-820-8451 610-820-8549
Telephone support hotline for adults challenged by loneliness, confusion and other mental health concerns. Provides information regarding available community resources.
Weed & Seed
610-437-7679 or 610-437-7698
This strategy brings together a large and varied array of resources in a comprehensive and coordinated effort to control drugs and crime and improve the quality of life in identified high crime neighborhoods. The basic idea is that the neighborhood is best equipped to identify and prioritize its issues and arrive at solutions. This is done with open communication and cooperation with law enforcement efforts.
YWCA of Bethlehem--Baby & Me Program
610-867-4669
Post-Partum mental and physical wellness for mom and baby is equally as important as pre-natal wellness. Baby & Me is a free program for first-time mothers and their babies referred by the St. Luke's VNA Nurse Family Partnership and other agencies. The goal of this program is to help prevent depression, new parent overwhelm, child neglect, poor health, and to provide supportive resources needed to give your child the best care possible. Experienced moms will serve as mentors and playgroup facilitators. Experts in the field on issues such as relationships, nutrition, abuse and parenting will help lead group discussions. Every session will begin with mother-to-mother group discussions. Some activities include: baby & me exercise, scrap booking, crafts, cooking & nutrition, budgeting, career counseling, child abuse and child behavior.
Yellow Pages For Kids
A comprehensive web site that lists many resources in the area.
National Programs
Child Trends
The nation's only independent research and policy center that focuses exclusively on improving outcomes for children. The research center studies children at all stages of development. Research includes child poverty, child welfare, early childhood development, education, fatherhood and parenting, health, indicators of child well-being, marriage and family, positive development, teen sex and pregnancy, and youth development.
Child Welfare League of America (CWLA)
The highest mission is to ensure the safety and well-being of children and families. This organization provides advocacy and programs. The web site also has publications with articles on various topics.
Parents Helping Parents (PHP)
PHP provides education and skills training, information, guidance and peer support for families with the unexpected diagnosis of and ongoing impact of childhood disabilities, including but not limited to intellectual, learning or physical disabilities and special health care needs.