Government Agencies and Resources

Access Washington

This site offers information and links to Washington State Government agencies and departments.
http://www.access.wa.gov/

Department of Social and Health Resources

This webpage provides a quick and detailed view of DSHS, and is a user-friendly way to access information about their labyrinth of services.
http://www1.dshs.wa.gov/basicneeds/

DSHS Division of Developmental Disabilities

For parents/caregivers who have family members with special needs or other health issues. The site also provides links to an extensive list of government and non-profit organizations and agencies serving adults and families of children with special needs.
http://www1.dshs.wa.gov/ddd/index.shtml

Office of Children and Families Ombudsman

The Family and Children's Ombudsman investigates complaints about agency actions or inaction that involve any child at risk of abuse, neglect, or other harm. In addition to addressing complaints, they work to identify system-wide issues and recommend appropriate changes in public reports to the Governor, the Legislature and agency officials.
http://www.governor.wa.gov/ofco/

Post Partum Depression Campaign

The Washington State Postpartum Depression (PPD) Awareness Campaign is committed to addressing PPD in ways that will inform, inspire and impact the future health of women, children and their families in Washington. This website contains basic information about PPD, support group contact information, brochures, internet links, a research section, and more.
http://www.wcpcan.wa.gov/ppd/home.htm

Washington Council for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect

WCPCAN's mission is to provide leadership to and a statewide focus on the prevention of child abuse and neglect, and to encourage and support effective community prevention efforts.
http://www.wcpcan.wa.gov/

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Health and Safety

Kid Source Online

Education & healthcare information for parents & children -- Kid Source has informative articles on child health and safety, free printables of art projects, certificates, games, etc. for children, and much, much more. It also lists recall notices of toys, equipment, childbeds, etc.
http://www.kidsource.com/

March of Dimes Pregnancy and Newborn Health Education Center

The March of Dimes provides information for pregnant and new mothers AND fathers. They provide email and online chat services with information specialists, as well as a monthly email newsletter.
http://www.marchofdimes.com/pnhec/pnhec.asp

Medline Plus: Child Development

MedlinePlus brings together information from the National Library of Medicine, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations. The Child Development section of the website contains latest news, updates, research info, overviews of child development, specific conditions and issues--all related to children and health.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/childdevelopment.html

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)

The CPSC Provides updates on recalled toys, childrenÕs furniture, and other products, and can deliver this information to your email box.
http://www.cpsc.gov/

Post Partum Depression Campaign

The Washington State Postpartum Depression (PPD) Awareness Campaign is committed to addressing PPD in ways that will inform, inspire and impact the future health of women, children and their families in Washington. This website contains basic information about PPD, support group contact information, brochures, internet links, a research section, and more.
http://www.wcpcan.wa.gov/ppd/home.htm

Within Reach

Within Reach provides essential resources for family health.
http://www.withinreachwa.org/

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Parenting and Child Development

Childcare Resource and Referral Network

Child Care Resource is network of 18 community-based, private, nonprofit child care resource and referral agencies across Washington State. They offer consumer education, training and technical assistance to parents, child care providers, employers and the community.
http://www.childcarenet.org/

Childhaven

Childhaven's mission focuses on serving children ages one month through five years who have suffered abuse and neglect. Childhaven runs three programs: Therapeutic Child Care, Drug-Affected Infant Program, and the Crisis Nursery. Infants and children with open CPS or CWS cases may be enrolled at one of Childhaven's four child care branches in King County.
http://www.childhaven.org/new/index.php

Circle of Parents

The Circle of Parents National Network represents a partnership of parent leaders and 26 statewide (including Parent Trust for Washington Children) and regional organizations in 25 states. Website also has parenting information.
http://www.circleofparents.org/about_us/index.html

Kinship Care in Washington

For grandparents or other family members raising children/youth. The site includes information, resources, a list of support groups, guardianship issues, etc.
http://www1.dshs.wa.gov/kinshipcare/

Family and Corrections Network

The Family and Corrections Network provides help for families of prisoners. Their website offers information, training and technical assistance on children of prisoners, parenting programs for prisoners, prison visiting, incarcerated fathers and mothers, hospitality programs, keeping in touch, returning to the community, the impact of the justice system on families, and prison marriage.
http://www.fcnetwork.org/

New Parents Network

The New Parents Network provides parenting information through the creative use of technology by increasing access to information in order to save lives, reduce stress, and strengthen families. Their online resources are provided in English and Spanish.
http://www.newparentsnetwork.org/

Parents Action for Children

Parents' Action for Children is a national non-profit dedicated to advancing the interests of families and young children. Parents' Action develops parent education materials, connects parents with one another, and fights for issues such as early education, health care, and high quality and affordable child care. Parents' Action for Children is organizing parents as a powerful movement to ensure that our nation's policies reflect our concern and commitment to parents and their children.
http://store.parentsactionstore.org/prostores/servlet/StoreFront

Talaris

Talaris works to improve the social, emotional and cognitive development of children from the prenatal period through age five by providing parents with tools to raise their children effectively.
http://www.talaris.org/

Tufts University Child and Family Web Guide

The Child & Family WebGuide describes trustworthy websites on topics of interest to parents and professionals. All the sites listed on the WebGuide have been systematically evaluated by graduate students and faculty in child development. These sites have been selected from thousands that are available on the Web, based primarily on the quality of the information they provide. The goal of the WebGuide is to give the public easy access to the best child development information on the Web.
http://www.cfw.tufts.edu/

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Policy and Research

Children's Alliance

The ChildrenÕs Alliance is a statewide child advocacy organization. Their mission is to improve the well being of children in Washington by effecting positive changes in public policies, priorities, and programs.
http://www.childrensalliance.org/

Adverse Childhood Experiences

This study offers insight into the definition, frequency, presence, and the effects of adverse childhood experiences on adult health and well being.
http://www.acestudy.org/

Institute for Policy Research

The Institute for Policy Research (IPR) is an interdisciplinary public policy research institute founded in 1968 at Northwestern University. Our mission is to stimulate and support excellent social science research on significant public policy issues and to disseminate the findings widely -- to students, scholars, policymakers, and the public at large.
http://www.northwestern.edu/ipr/people/mcknight.html

Child Welfare Information Gateway

Child Welfare Information Gateway provides access to information and resources to help protect children and strengthen families. A service of the Children's Bureau, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
http://www.childwelfare.gov/

Northwest Institute for Children and Families

The Northwest Institute for Children and Families, located at the University of Washington School of Social Work, is dedicated to the promotion of excellence and leadership in services to children and families. In continuous operation since 1979, the Institute offers the following services across the Pacific Northwest and nationally:

• Education for social workers committed to careers in public child welfare
• Training and systems change support for child welfare agencies and their partners
• Program Evaluation for public and private agencies
• Education and support for Policy Makers and Grantmakers interested in child welfare

http://depts.washington.edu/nwicf/

Organizational Research Services

Organizational Research Services (ORS) is a nationally recognized leader in outcome-based planning and evaluation. Since it was founded in 1989 by Jane Reisman Ph.D., ORS has accumulated extensive experience in the design and implementation of practical and effective evaluations for program improvement and accountability. ORS work includes evaluations of programs ranging from nonprofit health and human service organizations to state and local government agencies to major funding bodies such as the United Way. Using empowerment evaluation strategies, ORS has helped many agencies conduct evaluations of programs and initiatives.
http://www.organizationalresearch.com/

Promising Practices Network

ÒThe Promising Practices Network (PPN) web site highlights programs and practices that credible research indicates are effective in improving outcomes for children, youth, and families. The information offered is organized around three major areas: Proven and Promising Programs, Research in Brief, and Strengthening Service DeliveryÓ
http://www.promisingpractices.net/

RAND Corporation: Child Policy

The RAND Corporation is a nonprofit research organization that conducts research and provides analysis to address challenges that face the United States and the world. RAND Child Policy serves as a gateway to RAND research on children's issues from prenatal to age 18, and provides easy access to objective information that will help improve policy and decision-making. RAND research on child policy is conducted by multiple research divisions, and draws upon the expertise of over 140 researchers and consultants.Ó
http://www.rand.org/research_areas/children/

Search Institute

Beyond the list of the Ò40 Developmental AssetsÓ and the Search InstituteÕs technical terminology, this webpage outlines ways to help children and youth increase positive experiences and qualities that Òhave the power during critical adolescent years to influence choices young people make and help them become caring, responsible adults.Ó
http://www.search-institute.org/

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