|
|
|
Finding child care and early education programsA child care resource and referral agency (CCR&R) in the area where you now live can help you find available and affordable child care and early education in your location. Contact Child Care Aware, a free, Federally funded service, at http://www.childcareaware.org or at 800-424-2246 to find a local CCR&R. The local CCR&R may also be able to help you find out if you qualify for free or subsidized child care. Finding help paying for child careThe Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) Contact Directory on the NCCIC Web site at http://nccic.acf.hhs.gov/statedata/dirs/display.cfm?title=ccdf will help you find the child care assistance office in the State where you live. Each State makes its own policies and procedures about how it administers the Federally funded CCDF. CCDF funds can help you pay for center-based care, family child care, care provided by religious organizations, and sometimes care by family, friends, and neighbors. A child care resource and referral agency (CCR&R) in the area where you now live may have information about child care programs that have special funding options or sliding fee scales. Contact Child Care Aware, a free, Federally funded service, at http://www.childcareaware.org or at 800-424-2246 to find a local CCR&R. Child Care Aware's brochures are available on the Web:
Early Head Start serves infants and toddlers, and Head Start serves children ages 3-5. In general, Head Start serves children whose family income is at or below the Federal Poverty Level. To find a Early Head Start program in your area, visit the EHS Program Locator Web site at http://www.ehsnrc.org/ProgramLocator/ehssites.cfm. To find a Head Start program in your area, use the online Head Start Program Search Tool at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/hsb/hsweb/index.jsp. Employment requirements for receiving child care assistanceThe Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) Contact Directory on the NCCIC Web site at http://nccic.acf.hhs.gov/statedata/dirs/display.cfm?title=ccdf will help you find the child care assistance office in the State where you live. Each State makes its own policies and procedures about how it administers the Federally funded CCDF. CCDF funds can help you pay for center-based care, family child care, care provided by religious organizations, and sometimes care by family, friends, and neighbors. Documentation required to apply for child care assistanceThe Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) Contact Directory on the NCCIC Web site at http://nccic.acf.hhs.gov/statedata/dirs/display.cfm?title=ccdf will help you find the child care assistance office in the State where you live. Each State makes its own policies and procedures about how it administers the Federally funded CCDF. CCDF funds can help you pay for center-based care, family child care, care provided by religious organizations, and sometimes care by family, friends, and neighbors. Information about schools and school-age child careContact the local public school to find information about how to enroll your child in school. The GreatSchools.net Web site at http://www.greatschools.net/ can help you locate local schools. It provides addresses and additional information about public, private, and charter schools in all 50 States. A child care resource and referral agency (CCR&R) in the area where you now live can help you find available and affordable school-age child care. Contact Child Care Aware, a free, Federally funded service, at http://www.childcareaware.org or at 800-424-2246 to find a local CCR&R. The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, Subtitle VII-B, is the Federal law that entitles children who are homeles to a free, appropriate public education. It requires schools to remove barriers to the enrollment, attendance, and success in school. The act, "Education for Homeless Children and Youth Program - Title VII-B of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, as amended by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 Non-Regulatory Guidance, July 2004" is on the Web at http://www.ed.gov/programs/homeless/guidance.pdf. Additional information on the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act is available from the National Coalition for the Homeless on the Web at http://www.nationalhomeless.org/reauthorization.html. Homeless children and children in their host families are also eligible for free lunches in the Child and Adult Care Food Program. Effects of natural disasters on childrenNatural disasters can leave children of all ages feeling confused and scared. Whether children have personally experienced trauma or have merely seen the event on television or heard it discussed by adults, they struggle to make sense of what they are seeing and hearing. It is important for you to help your child make sense of what is happening. You also need to be informed and ready to help if reactions to stress are observed in your child's behavior. The following organizations have information for adults working with children who have experienced traumatic events.
Support for your emotional needsIt is important to remember to take care of yourself and to monitor your own emotions during these difficult times. You will be a better resource for family members if you take care of your own physical health and emotional well-being. A toll-free hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) has been established for people in crisis by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Callers will be connected to a network of local crisis counseling centers across the country to receive counseling and mental health referrals from trained staff. The hotline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Support and resources in languages other than English [Apoyo y recursos en otros idiomas fuera del inglés]Child Care Aware Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades (CDC) Cruz Roja Americana Departamento de Vivienda y Desarrollo Urbano de los Estados Unidos (HUD) Agencia Federal para el Manejo de Emergencias (FEMA) USA.gov |
