Caregiver Resources - Children & Youth

CWLA is a powerful coalition of hundreds of private and public agencies that since 1920 has worked to serve children and families who are vulnerable. Their expertise, leadership and innovation on policies, programs, and practices help improve the lives of millions of children across the country. Their impact is felt worldwide. CWLA leads and engages its network of public and private agencies and partners to advance policies, best practices and collaborative strategies that result in better outcomes for children, youth and families that are vulnerable.

Their focus is children and youth who may have experienced abuse, neglect, family disruption, or a range of other factors that jeopardize their safety, permanence, or well-being. CWLA also focuses on the families, caregivers, and the communities that care for and support these children.

Website: https://www.cwla.org

Phone: 202.688.4200

At Childhelp, their goal is to meet the physical, emotional, educational, and spiritual needs of abused, neglected and at-risk children. They focus our efforts on prevention, intervention, treatment, and community outreach. Childhelp programs and services help children from any situation and let them experience the life they deserve: one filled with love. The principle theme across all of their programs is to provide children we serve with an environment of compassion and kindness.

Website: https://www.childhelp.org

Phone: 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453)

Sesame Workshop, the non-profit educational organization behind Sesame Street, hosts a comprehensive initiative designed to help children cope with traumatic experiences. When a child endures a traumatic experience, the whole family feels the impact. But adults hold the power to help lessen its effects. Several factors can change the course of kids’ lives: feeling seen and heard by a caring adult, being patiently taught coping strategies and resilience-building techniques, and being with adults who know about the effects of such experiences. Here are ways to bring these factors to life.

Website: https://sesamestreetincommunities.org/topics/traumatic-experiences/

Quantum Leap Farm, a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization founded in 2000, is nationally recognized equestrian program whose mission it is to improve quality of life and cultivate human potential through equine-assisted therapies. At Quantum Leap Farm, they envision a world where people are accepted unconditionally: warts and all. They recognize that scars and imperfections are an inherent part of every individual, and contribute greatly to our identity, beauty and uniqueness. While we may not be perfect, we can still be excellent. They want every participant who walks, hobbles or rolls through our gates to reach their fullest potential and Spread Their Wings.

Website: https://www.quantumleapfarm.org/

Phone: 813.920.9250

Parenting2Go helps service members reconnect with their children and provides convenient tools to strengthen parenting skills. It can be used alone or in combination with the online Parenting for Servicemembers & Veterans course. Parents can find quick parenting advice; relaxation tools to use when frustrated or stressed; tools to improve their relationship with their children through positive communication; and strategies to switch gears between military life and home. The app addresses challenges that come with parenting children of all ages and backgrounds. The app also offers guidance for seeking professional help and access to additional resources. The Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense with a development team of leading parenting experts, researchers, and therapists developed Parenting2GO.

Website: https://mobile.va.gov/app/parenting2go

The National Federation, a national family-run organization serves to:

• Provide advocacy at the national level for the rights of children and youth with emotional, behavioral and mental health challenges and their families
• Provide leadership and technical assistance to a nation-wide network of family run organizations
• Collaborate with family run and other child serving organizations to transform mental health care in America

Website: https://www.ffcmh.org/

Provides information, support, and assistance to parents of children with disabilities, their professional partners, and their communities. They are committed to listening to and learning from families, and encouraging full participation in community life by all people, especially those with disabilities. The Federation places a tremendous value on parents because of the contributions they make as the leaders of families toward supporting the health, education, and development of their children at home and in society. The Federation promotes the active and informed participation of parents of children with disabilities in shaping, implementing, and evaluating public policy that affects them. The Federation believes in the power of parents helping parents and has infused a proven model of peer support throughout all its work. Most Federation staff members are parents or family members of children with disabilities and people with disabilities.

Website: https://fcsn.org/

Champions Kids Camp, a 501(c)(3), mission is to nurture children who have survived a traumatic injury, illness, or personal loss, such as the loss of a parent or sibling. Through a week-long camp, children between the ages of 8 and 12 are able to heal from the “emotional scarring” they have experienced in their young lives. Over the years, CKC has helped thousands of children to move past their trauma, which gives them improved self-esteem & social skills, reduced fear and anxiety, higher grades in school, and the tools to become a productive part of our community.

Website: https://www.championskidscamp.org/

Phone: 832.449.3743