Parenting Support and Strategies

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It’s not necessary to pass a course or get a license to have the job of a parent, but all parents want to develop skills and strategies to help them do their job well. The following programs provide parenting information and “training” in a variety of formats, offering everything from one-time tips to parenting workshops to regular home visits.

ABC

A 10-session service for families with infants and toddlers, ABC helps to build the attachment and connection between parents and children under age 4
Who is Eligible:

ABC is available for any family with a child 6-months-old to 4-years-old. Discuss specific eligibility during your initial phone call

Where are services offered?

ABC is offered at several agencies including the Center for Child & Family Health, Exchange Family Center, and the Children’s Developmental Services Agency; the 10 sessions are typically one-hour long home visits, but the visits may be done virtually

Cost: 

Free
Services are available in the following language(s): English, Spanish
How to initiate or access services:

Call or text the Center for Child & Family Heath (CCFH) ABC line at 919-378-1811 or fill out the ABC Interest Form. CCFH can connect you with other ABC providers if they are better able to meet your needs.

Book Harvest provides free books for children of all ages; a Family Space designed for families to read, learn and play together; and programs that partner with parents to nurture language and literacy development.
Who is Eligible:

Book Harvest serves all children ages 0-to-18; the BookBabies program is available to any Medicaid-eligible child that enrolls by 16 weeks of age

Where are services offered?

Free books are available 24/7 at Book Harvest (2501 University Drive, Durham) and via Book Access Hubs throughout Durham (visit bookharvest.org to see locations).

Book Babies coaches visit enrolled families in their homes or virtually.

Cost: 

Free
Services are available in the following language(s): English, Spanish
How to initiate or access services:

Visit Book Harvest or any Book Harvest bookshelf or Book Box 24/7. The Family Space at Book Harvest is open Tuesday-Saturday from 9 AM-5 PM (closed on holidays) and there is no cost to visit.

Learn More:

Follow Book Harvest on social media @bookharvestnc.

Who is Eligible:

All parents, guardians, and grandparents of Durham County.

Incredible Years Parenting Program is for parents with students in grades K-6. Circle of Parents is for parents of middle and high school students.

Where are services offered?

Classes are in-person or online.

The Incredible Years Parenting Program class is offered in the Fall and the Spring every school year as an in-person class. The in-person location is updated every semester.

Circle of Parents is an ongoing group, offered both virtually and in-person, that parents can join at any time.

Cost: 

Free

The classes are free AND incentivized.

Services are available in the following language(s): English, Spanish
How to initiate or access services:

Interested participants can complete this parent education interest form or contact Andrea Buzzell Bowens at andrea@cisdurham.org.

 

Provides families with ongoing, wrap-around support, connections to resources, and programming for Durham children and families from the cradle to college or career.
Who is Eligible:

Open to any family in Durham expressing a need for support

Where are services offered?

DCI offices are at 2101 Angier Avenue, Ste 200 (close to YE Smith Elementary School)

Cost: 

Free

English and Spanish-speaking Advocates are available

Services are available in the following language(s): English, Spanish
How to initiate or access services:

Call (919) 908-8709 or email TheDurhamChildrensInitiative@dci-nc.org to get started.

Learn More:

dci-nc.org

Parent coaching and family therapy to support a healthy family environment for kids 0-12.
Who is Eligible:

Any family that lives in Durham County with a child between 0- and 12-years-old

Where are services offered?

Throughout Durham County

Cost: 

Free

All family support services and some parenting workshops are free to families

Services are available in the following language(s): English, Spanish
How to initiate or access services:

Call the Exchange Family Center’s office at 919-403-8249, visit the Family Support Program website for additional information, or fill out a referral form here: www.exchangefamilycenter.org/referrals

For additional information on Parenting Workshops visit exchangefamilycenter.org/parents-caregivers/parenting-workshops 

Network of peer support for families of children with special needs, led by parents with lived experience.
Who is Eligible:

Families of children and young adults with disabilities

Where are services offered?

Family Support Network affiliates are located across the state

Cost: 

Free
Services are available in the following language(s): English, Other languages through translation service
How to initiate or access services:

Check out fsnnc.org for more information or call our ACCESS Health Information line at 1-800-852-0042

Learn More:

fsnnc.org

Working with fathers to develop life skills necessary to face financial, health, relationship and other critical challenges.
Who is Eligible:

Any Durham dad and his family

Where are services offered?

Durham

Cost: 

Free
Services are available in the following language(s): English
How to initiate or access services:

Visit www.FatherhoodofDurham.org

H.E.A.R.T.S. supports young adolescent parents and pregnant people with tools to successfully become independent and self-sufficient.
Who is Eligible:

Parents or pregnant people aged 13-to-22 and their children

Where are services offered?

Anywhere within 60 miles of Durham County

Cost: 

Free
Services are available in the following language(s): English
How to initiate or access services:

Fill out the sign-up form or visit our website – heartsnc.org/for-young-parents – for additional information.

Learn More:

heartsnc.org

A free home-visiting program designed to help new parents as they support the healthy growth and development of their children from 3 months to 3 years old.
Who is Eligible:

First-time parents in Durham who are pregnant or have a baby up to 3 months old and parents living in the East Durham community who have a baby under 3 months of age

Where are services offered?

First-time parents in Durham who are pregnant or have a baby up to 3 months old and parents living in the East Durham community who have a baby under 3 months of age

Families participate in regular, weekly home visits for up to three years; visits may be made virtually during the pandemic, so please ask for specifics when you call

Cost: 

Free
Services are available in the following language(s): English, Spanish
How to initiate or access services:

Call Griffin Sloop, Intake Coordinator, at (919) 385-0759, to sign up or make a referral.

Learn More:

ccfhnc.org

Specialists at the pediatric primary care clinic that work alongside families of children under age 3 to be sure they have the support they need to nurture their child’s wellbeing.
Who is Eligible:

Families whose infants and toddlers under age three receive their medical care at Duke Children’s Primary Care-North Durham

Where are services offered?

Duke Children’s Primary Care, 3116 N. Duke St, Durham

Cost: 

Free
Services are available in the following language(s): English, Other languages through translation service
How to initiate or access services:

Ask your doctor about HealthySteps

Learn More:

HealthySteps.org

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