Community Resources / Recursos de la Comunidad
EDUCATION
Child Care/Early Learning Resource Centers
Provides help in finding childcare and helps low-income families pay their childcare fees.
- Phone: 1-877-472-5437
- Website: https://www.dhs.pa.gov/Pages/default.aspx (type “Child Care Works Program” in search box on website)
Education
Provides help in finding reading and writing, GED, and ESL (English as Second Language) programs.
- Website: https://www.nld.org/
Head Start / Early Head Start Programs
Provides high quality early learning and comprehensive family support services for low-income children (ages 0-5) and their families.
- Website: https://www.paheadstart.org/ (Click: Get local Head Start information, then your county.)
Migrant Education Program
Provides educational and support services to migrant children.
- Phone: 717-783-6466
- Website: https://www.education.pa.gov/Pages/default.aspx (Type “migrant education” in search box)
Pre-K Counts
Provides quality half-day and full-day pre-kindergarten to eligible 3 and 4-year olds.
- Website: https://www.education.pa.gov/Pages/default.aspx (Type “Pre-K Counts Grants” in search box)
PARENTING
Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP)
Free help for first-time moms in 50 Pennsylvania counties. NFP is a parent support program that pairs you with a free personal nurse who can help you have a healthy pregnancy and provide advice and support as you care for your new baby.
- Call/text: 844-637-6667
- To apply, visit: https://www.nursefamilypartnership.org/first-time-moms/
Safe Sleep for Infants
Provides infant safe sleep guidelines, educational materials, and assists with portable cribs for families in need.
- Website: https://cribsforkids.org/
WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Hotline
Provides breastfeeding help and support by WIC Peer Counselors. Hours of operation: Monday through Friday 8 am to 8 pm and Saturday and Sunday 9 am to 1 pm.
- Call: 1-855-427-5666
Text4baby
Get FREE text messages on your cell phone to help you through your pregnancy and your baby’s first year.
- Text: BABY to 511411
- https://text4baby.org/
PREGNANCY
Text4baby
Get FREE text messages on your cell phone to help you through your pregnancy and your baby’s first year.
- Text: BABY to 511411
- https://text4baby.org/
HEALTH SERVICES FOR KIDS
Department of Health
Keeping your child healthy may seem overwhelming, but don’t worry! We have many resources to help you.
- Website: https://www.health.pa.gov/Pages/default.aspx (Click: “I am a/an parent, 0-5 years old, resources for parents”)
National Hispanic Family Health Helpline
Provides community health services and information.
- Call: 1-866-783-2645
- Website: https://www.healthyamericas.org/
Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
Provides help in finding free or low-cost medical insurance for children from birth to age 19.
- Call: 1-800-986-KIDS
- Website: https://www.dhs.pa.gov/chip/Pages/CHIP.aspx
Healthy Beginnings Plus
Provides help in finding health care for pregnant women.
- Call: 1-800-692-7462
- Website: https://www.dhs.pa.gov/Pages/default.aspx (Type “healthy beginnings plus” in search box)
Special Kids Network System of Care
Provides help in finding resources and services for children with special health care needs.
- Call: 1-800-986-4550
- Website: https://www.health.pa.gov/Pages/default.aspx (Click: “I am a/an parent, 0-5 years old, special kids network”)
Childhood Lead Poisoning
Provides information on lead poisoning and testing.
- Call: 1-800-440-LEAD
- Website: https://www.health.pa.gov/Pages/default.aspx (Click: “I am a/an parent, 0-5 years old, lead poisoning”)
HEALTH SERVICES FOR ADULTS
Drug and Alcohol Treatment Services
Provides help in finding a treatment or counseling program in your community.
- Call: 1-800-662-HELP
- Website: ddap.pa.gov (Click: “Get Help Now”)
PA Smoking Cessation Program
Free Quitline Pregnancy Program offers 10 free coaching sessions to pregnant women with rewards for each session. Get free nicotine replacement therapy (patches, gum or lozenges), if available. You can get help to quit for good!
- Call: 1-800-QUIT-NOW (784-8669)
- Website: https://pa.quitlogix.org/
HIV/AIDS
Provides help in finding testing centers, treatment and support groups.
- Call: 1-800-662-6080
- Website: https://www.health.pa.gov/Pages/default.aspx (Click: “I’m looking for, disease & conditions, HIV)
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Provides help in finding free and confidential testing and treatment centers.
- Call: 1-877-724-3258
- Website: https://www.health.pa.gov/Pages/default.aspx (Click: I’m looking for, diseases and conditions, Sexually Transmitted Diseases)
MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT
Mental Health Association in PA
Provides help finding behavioral/mental health services and supports.
- Call: 717-346-0549 or 1-866-578-3659 Ext. 2
- Website: https://mhapa.org/
Mental Health Services
Provides help in finding mental health services.
- Call: 1-800-692-7462
- Website: https://www.dhs.pa.gov/Pages/default.aspx (Type: “Mental Health Services” in search box)
Postpartum Support International
Provides a “Get Help Warmline,” confidential information, and local referral services for those suffering from anxiety and depression during pregnancy and postpartum.
- Call: 1-800-944-4773 or text “Help” to 800-944-4773 (EN) or text en Español: 971-203-7773
- https://www.postpartum.net/
NUTRITION + FOOD ASSISTANCE
Emergency Food Pantries
Provides help in finding food pantries and food assistance programs in your area.
- Call: 1-800-548-6479
- https://foodpantries.org/
Penn State Extension, Nutrition Links
Learn how to eat better for less. Free classes provide simple tips to save money, cook tasty, healthy meals, and prepare food safely.
- Call: 1-888-778-3535
- https://extension.psu.edu/nutrition-links
School Breakfast, Lunch & Summer Food Programs
Provides help in finding free or low-cost meals for school-aged children.
USDA National Hunger Hotline
Provides help for free food resources near you.
- Call: 1-866-3-HUNGRY - Call between 7am-10pm.
SOCIAL SERVICES
Child Support (Domestic Relations)
Provides help in getting support payments for children whose parent is absent.
- Call: 1-800-932-0211
- Website: https://www.humanservices.state.pa.us/csws/
Housing Assistance
Provides homeless resources and public housing agencies to help in finding affordable housing.
National Domestic Violence Hotline
Provides resources for help, information on housing, medical care, and counseling 24 hours a day.
- Call: 1-800-799-7233
- https://www.thehotline.org/
PA Benefits Helpline
Provides information on Health Care: Medical Assistance (MA) and CHIP, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), cash assistance, Child Care Works Program, school meals, Early Intervention, and energy assistance (LIHEAP)
- Call: 1-855-284-2494
- https://www.dhs.pa.gov/Pages/default.aspx (click “application for benefits”)