Find school lunch programs in your county that are still open to students during the current school closures due to COVID-19 outbreak with our School Lunch Program List by County.
California Parent and Youth Helpline
The OCAP is funding Parents Anonymous® Inc. to offer the California Parent & Youth Helpline and Online Parent Support Groups to address increased stressors and concerns faced by families, parents and youth during the current uncertain and troubling times. Parents and youth can call, text and chat 855-4APARENT (1-855-427-2736) for emotional support and referrals in English, Spanish, and other languages, every day from 8am to 8pm. Sign up for the Online Groups at caparentyouthhelpline.org, Other Parents Anonymous resources can be accessed on their website.
Parent Help Hotlines
Being a parent can be difficult. Parents and caregivers can call the following numbers to receive free counseling and support when they need help.
• National Hotline: 1-800-4-A-CHILD
- Alameda County “Family Paths” Parental Stress Hotline: 510-893-5444
- San Francisco “TALK Line” Family Support: 415-441-5437
- Santa Clara County Parental Stress Line: 408-279-8228
- Santa Cruz “Parent’s Center” Parental Stress Hotline: 831-426-7322
- Sonoma County “Child Parent Institute” Parental Support Line: 707-585-6108
CalFresh
CalFresh (or SNAP) is a program that provides monthly food benefits to assist low-income households in purchasing the food they need to maintain adequate nutritional levels. Learn more by visiting the CalFresh website.
CalWORKs
CalWORKs is a welfare program that gives cash aid and services to eligible needy California families. The program serves all 58 counties in the state. If a family has little or no cash and needs housing, food, utilities, clothing or medical care, they may be eligible to receive immediate short-term help. Learn more by visiting the CalWorks website .
CalWORKS Child Care
This program helps families access immediate, short-term child care as the parent works or performs their welfare-to-work activity. Visit the CalWORKS website to find out more.
Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT)
EBT is the automated system that allows CalFresh, CalWorks, and other cash benefit recipients to use a card, much like a debit card, to access their food and cash benefits. For more information please visit http://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/EBT.
Text4baby
Text4baby is a free mobile app that makes it easier for your to get critical health and safety information, such as: how your baby grows each week, medical updates, appointment reminders via text, additional web content and videos. Visit Text4baby or download via the app store.
Family Resource Centers
Family resources centers provide support to parents, referral services and information to children and families all over California. Click here to learn more
Child Abuse Prevention Councils (CAPC)
Child Abuse Prevention Councils (CAPCs) are local bodies which organize community resources in order to reduce child abuse and neglect in every county in California. The CAPCs are either an independent part of a county government, or a non-profit organization. The map will show where in California CAPCs are located, along with contact information so the public can become more engaged in preventing the abuse and neglect of Californian children.
The Office of Child Abuse Prevention helps promote regional collaboration and training of CAPCs through the Innovative Partnerships grant .
Spanish and Immigrant/Refugee Resources Available
The online version of the 2016/2017 Prevention Resource Guide offers additional resources for professionals working with families in the Latino community. Learn more
The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children ® is a non-profit organization whose mission is to assist in finding missing children and to reduce child sexual exploitation.