CONNECT

Organization	Website	Description
Adoption Services	www.wvdhhr.org/oss/adoption	The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources provides home studies for those families who plan to adopt a child who is in foster care in West Virginia. Those who are planning to adopt privately or internationally must contact a private adoption agency to obtain a home study.
The Alliance for Children and Families	www.alliance1.org	Provides services to nonprofit, family-serving and economic empowerment organizations
American Academy of Pediatrics	www.aap.org	Attainment of physical, mental, social health and well being for children
The American Library Association	www.ala.org/parents	Resources for parents, kids, and teens
AssistiveTech.net	http://assistivetech.net/	Assistive technology devices for people with disabilities and the general public
Association for Children with a Disability	www.acd.org.au	Information, support and advocacy for families
Beansprout Network	http://beansprout.net/	A marketing services company that provides pediatric professionals and the families in their care with innovative tools, resources, and educational programs to enhance patient care and practice efficiency
Child Advocacy Centers	www.nca-online.org/	Child Advocacy Centers offer a new way of serving abused children through a comprehensive approach to services for victims and their families. The centers promote coordination of investigation and intervention services by bringing together professionals and agencies as a multidisciplinary team to create a child-focused approach and to ensure that children are not revictimized by the very system designed to protect them. A few West Virginia communities have established centers and more are planning them.
Child and Adult Food Care Program	http://www.cacfp.org/index.html	The Child and Adult Care Food Program Sponsor's Association (TSA) was founded in 1986. Our mission is to serve as a national voice for, and provide education and support to, organizations who administer the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Child and Adult Care Food Program.
Child Care Aware	www.childcareaware.org	A non-profit initiative committed to helping parents find the best information on locating quality child care and child care resources in their community
Child Care Bureau	www.acf.hhs.gov	Supports low-income working families through child care financial assistance and promotes children’s learning by improving the quality of early care and education and after school programs
Child Care Exchange	www.childcareexchange.com	Promoting the exchange of ideas among leaders in early childhood programs worldwide through its magazine, books, training products, training seminars, and international conferences
Children’s Defense Fund	www.childrensdefense.org	The mission of the agency is to mobilize community resources, combat poverty, effect a permanent increase in the capacity of individuals and communities to deal constructively with their problems
Child Protective Services	www.wvdhhr.org/bcf/children_adult/cps/	The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources provides a range of services to children who have been or are at risk of being abused or neglected. County DHHR offices investigate reports of abuse and neglect, assess the child’s and family’s needs, recommend appropriate action to the courts, and provide or refer children and families to needed services
Circle of Parents	www.circleofparents.org	Prevent child abuse and neglect and strengthen families through mutual self-help parent support groups
Connect Child Care Resource and Referral	www.wvdhhr.org/connect	A division of River Valley, we assist income-eligible families with the costs of child care and provide referrals for people who need child care providers
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)	www.wvcasa.org	Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) are volunteers who are appointed by judges to advocate for the best interests for abused and neglected children. There are 11 CASA programs in West Virginia that serve 26 counties
Day One	http://www.wvha.org/day_one/	The DAY ONE project, is an early intervention and parenting education program. The mission of Day One in West Virginia is to improve the health, education and economic status of the state by ensuring a healthy start in life for babies. DAY ONE is an investment in West Virginia’s children and families and is based on sound research and has been evaluated as an effective program
Domestic Violence Programs	www.wvcadv.org	West Virginia has 14 regional organizations that provide information, shelter, and services to victims of domestic violence. Together, they comprise the West Virginia Coalition Against Domestic Violence (WVCADV), which provides safe space and quality service for victims of domestic violence, and works for systemic change to help families build lives free from violence.
Early Childhood Health Project	www.wvdhhr.org/echp/	A collaboration of individuals and agencies working together to improve the health and safety of young children while in out-of-home care in West Virginia
Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)	www.wveitc.com	The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a refundable Federal income tax credit for low-income working individuals and families. The credit reduces the amount of Federal tax owed and can result in a refund check, even when the EITC exceeds the amount of taxes owed. The West Virginia Welfare Reform Coalition conducts an annual outreach campaign to inform potentially eligible taxpayers about the credit.
Early Childhood Resource Lending Library	www.wvdhhr.org/mcfh/library/	The Early Childhood Resource Lending Library contains numerous resources such as books, brochures, videotapes, workbooks, curriculum guides, assessment tools, and self-study modules. Materials are available for loan to early childhood personnel and parents.
Energy Express	www.energyexpress.wvu.edu/	Energy Express is a six-week summer program that promotes the school success of children living in rural and low-income communities. Local programs provide two nutritious meals each day and summer learning experiences focused on reading. Programs engage college students as mentors and develop partnerships with parents, schools, communities, and state agencies and organizations.
Fair Shake Network	www.fairshake.org	The Fair Shake Network is an association of West Virginians dedicated to a "fair shake" for people with disabilities and to the belief that diversity makes communities stronger. The Network provides information to policymakers and the public on disability issues and helps people with disabilities and their families participate in the legislative process
Family Planning Program	www.wvdhhr.org/mcfh/wvfp/index.asp	The West Virginia Family Planning Program makes contraceptive supplies and services available to persons who want and need them but are unable to afford them without government assistance. The Program contracts with county health departments and other local health care providers to deliver services. The Program also sponsors the Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Initiative, which works to reduce the number of teenage pregnancies in West Virginia.
Family Resource Networks	www.wvdhhr.org/bcf/eces_coordinate.asp	Family Resource Networks (FRNs) are local coalitions working to improve services for children and families in their communities. FRNs engage in strategic planning, interagency coordination, and ongoing evaluation activities
Family Support Program	www.wvdhhr.org/bhhf/famsup1.asp	The West Virginia Family Support Program provides goods and services to families caring for a person with a developmental disability at home. These include respite care, home modifications, assistive technology, health-related services, transportation, training, and other services. There are 14 Regional Family Support Councils associated with behavioral health comprehensive centers, which cover all 55 counties.
Family Voices	www.familyvoices.org	Family Voices is a national, grassroots clearinghouse for information and education concerning the health care of children with special health needs. The organization shares the expertise and experiences of families from around the country with state and national policymakers, the media, health professionals, and other families
Food Stamps	www.wvdhhr.org/bcf/family_assistance/fs.asp	The Food Stamp Program is a federally-funded, state-administered program that provides monthly benefits to help eligible households buy food. The program is administered through county offices of the Department of Health and Human Resources.
For Baby’s Sake	www.forbabyssake.ca/	Dedicated to inform and educate the public about the hazardous environments created by using many traditional baby products
Head Start and Early Head Start Programs	www.wvheadstart.org	Head Start and Early Head Start are comprehensive child development programs that serve children from birth to 5, pregnant women, and their families. They are child-focused programs and have the overall goal of increasing the school readiness of young children in low-income families. There are 24 Head Start programs statewide providing services to all 55 counties and 5 Early Head Start programs
HealthCheck	www.wvdhhr.org/mcfh/ICAH/healthcheck/Default.htm	HealthCheck is West Virginia’s Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment Program (E.P.S.D.T.). It is a mandated Medicaid program to ensure that Medicaid-eligible children receive a comprehensive range of preventive and primary health services.
Healthy Child Care WV	www.hccwv.org	Healthy Child Care West Virginia is a collaboration of individuals and organizations working together to improve the health and safety of young children while in child care programs. The program focuses on linking child care providers to health consultants, increasing access to medical care, and promoting the use of national health and safety standards called "Stepping Stones."
Healthy Families America	www.healthyfamiliesamerica.org	Healthy Families America is a national program model designed to help expectant and new parents get their children off to a healthy start. Families participate voluntarily in the program and receive home visiting and referrals from trained staff. There is a nationally credentialed program in West Virginia serving Cabell and Wayne Counties.
I Safe	www.isafe.org	The Leader in Internet Safety Education. A non-profit foundation whose mission is to educate and empower youth to make their Internet experiences safe and responsible. The goal is to educate students on how to avoid dangerous, inappropriate, or unlawful online behavior.
Kinderstreet	www.kinderstreet.com	Provides Internet-delivered software applications to Schools, Community Parks and Recreation Departments, Childcare Centers, Recreation Centers and other providers of After school, Childcare, Preschool, Daycare and Camp programs
Medicaid	www.wvdhhr.org/bms	Medicaid is a federal/state program that finances health care for low-income individuals and families that meet income eligibility guidelines
Mountain State Family Alliance	www.orgsites.com/wv/msfa	The Mountain State Family Alliance is working to establish a comprehensive and integrated system of care where children and families choose and receive timely services within their communities that are strength-based and culturally sensitive. The Alliance is a collaborative partnership between families, the Department of Education, Division of Juvenile Services, the Department of Health and Human Resources, and local providers in DHHR Region II (southwestern West Virginia).
Mountain State Parents, Children and Adolescents Network	www.mspcan.org	Mountain State Parents, Children and Adolescents Network supports families who have children who have emotional, mental, or behavioral disorders. The organization provides individual emotional support, information and referral, a quarterly newsletter, legislative updates, a family resources library, and advocacy training.
National Association for the Education of Young Children	www.naeyc.org	Promoting excellence in early childhood education
National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies	www.naccrra.org	Promotes national policies and partnerships
National Association for Family Child Care	www.nafcc.org	Organized voice for family child care at the national level
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children	www.missingkids.com	The Nation’s Resource for Child Protection. We want to help you protect your children by teaching them to be smarter and safer. The best way to combat child exploitation and abduction is to prevent it. Please use our site to learn what you and your children need to know about protecting them from victimization.
National Child Care Information Center	www.nccic.org	Access to high-quality comprehensive services
National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center	www.nectac.org	Their mission is to strengthen service systems to ensure that children with disabilities (birth through five) and their families receive and benefit from high quality, culturally appropriate, and family-centered supports and services
National Parent Information Network	www.npin.org	Provide access to research-based information
National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care	http://nrc.uchsc.edu	Promote health and safety in out-of-home child care settings
Parenthood	www.parentsoup.com	Information on a wide range of topics relating to children and families
Parenting Support for Unique Families	www.comeunity.com	Benefit children by building diverse communities by providing family centered support
Parents Action for Children	www.iamyourchild.org	The voice of America's parents: a national non-profit agency dedicated to advancing the interests of families and young children
Parents as Teachers (PAT)	www.patnc.org/findaprogram.asp	Parents as Teachers (PAT) is an early childhood parent education and family support program serving families throughout pregnancy and until their child enters kindergarten. The Parents as Teachers National Center develops curricula, trains early childhood professionals, and certifies parent educators.
Parent Educator Resource Centers	http://wvde.state.wv.us/ose/percs/	Parent Educator Resource Centers provide information, training, and support to families, educators, and other professionals about educational issues
Parent Network Specialists	www.cedwvu.org/programs/pns	Parent Network Specialists serve as advisors to parents of children with disabilities. The Specialists are themselves parents of children with disabilities. Placed in geographically strategic areas of the state, they assist other parents in locating services and information that may benefit their children.
Pieces Advisory Council	www.wvdhhr.org/bcf/ece/pieces/	Partners Implementing the Early Care and Education System in West Virginia
Poison Prevention	www.poisonprevention.org/	Public information to help prevent accidental poisonings and tips for promoting community involvement in poison prevention
Prevent Child Abuse of America	www.preventchildabuse.org	Building awareness, providing education and inspiring hope in the effort to prevent child abuse
Prevent Child Abuse West Virginia	www.preventchildabusewv.org	PCA-WV offers information and advice about what we can do to support families and keep children safe
Reading is Fundamental	www.rif.org/	Prepares and motivates children to read by delivering free books and literacy resources to those children and families who need them most
School Clothing Allowance	www.wvdhhr.org/bcf/family_assistance/sca.asp	The School Clothing Allowance provides a clothing allowance each summer/fall to school-age children from low-income families. The program is administered through county offices of the Department of Health and Human Resources.
The Safe Side	www.thesafeside.com	Award-winning products that teaches kids to be safer and to make smart decisions. In addition to publishing programs for kids and parents, the company donates 10% of gross proceeds to from distribution to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
Starting Points Centers	www.wvdhhr.org/bcf/eces_services.asp	Starting Points Centers bring together a community’s existing early childhood services and programs in one location. The Centers provide families with young children better access to services, education, and support
Stop Cyberbullying	www.stopcyberbullying.org	"Cyberbullying" is when a child, preteen or teen is tormented, threatened, harassed, humiliated, embarrassed or otherwise targeted by another child, preteen or teen using the Internet, interactive and digital technologies or mobile phones. It has to have a minor on both sides, or at least have been instigated by a minor against another minor.
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)	www.wvdhhr.org/bcf/family_assistance/wvworks.asp	Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and West Virginia Works provide assistance to families whose income and assets are within allowable guidelines. Services include cash assistance, training and education, and supportive services that assist people in obtaining employment. The programs are administered through county offices of the Department of Health and Human Resources.
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission	www.cpsc.gov	Committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard or can injure children
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission	www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/category/toy.html	he U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from more than 15,000 types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $700 billion annually. The CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard or can injure children. The CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals - contributed significantly to the 30 percent decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.
West Virginia Birth to Three	www.wvdhhr.org/birth23/	A statewide system of services and supports for children under age three who have a delay in their development, or may be at risk of having a delay
West Virginia Childcare Centers United	www.wvccu.com	West Virginia Childcare Centers United is a professional childcare providers' organization dedicated to improving the quality of child care in West Virginia. The organization promotes its mission through networking, advocacy, and education
West Virginia Early Childhood Training Connections and Resources (WVECTCR)	www.wvearlychildhood.org	WVECTRC is a multifaceted program to help professionals and family members with their early childhood training needs. The program is a collaborative interagency effort that connects individuals with in-service training, formal educational opportunities, and early childhood resources and materials.
West Virginia Healthy Kids and Families Coalition	www.wvhealthykids.org	The West Virginia Healthy Kids and Families Coalition is dedicated to improving health coverage for children and families through outreach and public policy. Coalition members include diverse representatives from state agencies and community programs.
West Virginia KIDS COUNT Fund	www.wvkidscountfund.org	The West Virginia KIDS COUNT Fund is the primary link between business and the child service sectors to improve the lives of at-risk children. The Fund conducts and disseminates research, identifies and supports programs that work, and supports public policies that promote prevention and early intervention.
West Virginia Children’s Health Insurance Program (WVCHIP)	www.wvchip.org/	A low cost health care plan for children and teenagers of working families
West Virginia Parent Training and Information (WVPTI)	http://www.wvpti.org/	WVPTI provides information to parents and professionals who work with children with disabilities about specific disabilities and about laws and regulations that affect children with disabilities in education and equal access to the community. The group also links parents of children with similar needs through referral and support groups
West Virginia Partners in Implementing an Early Care and Education System (PIECES	www.wvdhhr.org/bcf/ece/pieces/	West Virginia PIECES is an initiative sponsored jointly by the Department of Education and Department of Health and Human Resources and aimed at improving the state’s system of early care and education. The PIECES Advisory Council and committees work on issues such as professional development, interagency collaboration, and regulations and standards.
West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources	www.wvdhhr.org	The DHHR administers numerous programs that benefit the citizens of West Virginia
Women, Infants and Children (WIC)	www.wvdhhr.org/ons/wic.asp	The Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program identifies and corrects nutritional problems during critical stages of growth and development. Services include nutritional counseling and education, breastfeeding promotion and support, health screening, medical and social service referrals, and monthly food packages. Services are provided through local health organizations in all 55 counties
Zero to Three	www.zerotothree.org	Resource on the first year of life for both parents and professionals
River Valley Child Development Services	www.rvcds.org	River Valley is an agency designed to promote high quality, educational and developmental services to children and families
West Virginia Birth to Three	www.wvdhhr.org/birth23	WV Birth to Three is a statewide system of services and supports for children under age three who have a delay in their development, or may be at risk of having a delay, and their family.