Parent & Caregiver Resources
Your relationship with the children in your care builds the foundation for their lifelong health and well-being. Explore trusted resources, expert guidance, and practical tools to support your family.
Building the Foundation for Lifelong Well-Being
Your relationship with the children in your care is the single most powerful protective factor in their lives. What children learn and experience during their earliest years shapes their brain development, their relationships, and their resilience — far into adulthood.
We've curated trusted, evidence-based resources from the nation's leading experts in children's mental health, child development, and family well-being — so you can access reliable guidance whenever you need it.
Whether those early experiences are positive and help to build resilience determines a child's future success in school, friendships, and relationships as they grow.
Expert Guidance You Can Rely On
When you visit these sites, you know you're getting sound, reliable, scientifically-backed advice from the nation's most respected organizations in children's health and well-being.
The leading independent nonprofit in children's mental health. Their Family Resource Center helps you support children struggling with mental health, behavior, or learning challenges.
Family Resource Center →The American Academy of Pediatrics' parenting website — offering trusted information from prenatal to young adulthood, backed by pediatricians.
Visit HealthyChildren →The nation's preeminent resource for child trauma — with information and resources for families navigating traumatic experiences. Center for Child Counseling is a proud NCTSN member.
Explore NCTSN →Leading research on early childhood development — focusing on the science of how experiences in the first years of life shape lifelong health and learning.
Visit Harvard CDC →Developmentally appropriate information, videos, and activities to support health and wellness, social-emotional skills, and school readiness for young children.
Explore Resources →Dedicated to infants and toddlers — with parent resources that support you in developing your own ways to promote your child's growth and development.
Resources for Families →Resources focused on helping children cope after traumatic events — including tools and publications for parents and childcare providers.
Crisis Resources →The American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry provides concise, up-to-date information on issues that affect children, teenagers, and their families.
Facts for Families →Hurricane & Disaster Resources
Resources by Topic
Violence & Safety
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) offers a variety of resources for discussing traumatic events with children. These resources can help you navigate difficult conversations about school shootings, community violence, and safety.
School Shootings
Disasters & Crises
When natural disasters, hurricanes, or other traumatic events affect your community, children need age-appropriate support. These resources help you talk to children about what's happening and support their emotional recovery.
Talking to Children About Disasters
Helping Children Cope with Media Coverage
Grief & Loss
When a family member dies, children react differently from adults. Preschool children usually see death as temporary, while children between five and nine begin to think more like adults about death. Having the right resources can help you support your child through these difficult moments.
Grief-Focused Organizations
Articles, Tip Sheets & Videos
Warning signs that a child may need additional support with grief:
- An extended period of depression or loss of interest in daily activities
- Inability to sleep, loss of appetite, prolonged fear of being alone
- Acting much younger for an extended period
- Repeated statements of wanting to join the deceased person
- Withdrawal from friends or a sharp drop in school performance
If your child is showing signs of serious grief, Center for Child Counseling can help. Request an appointment or call 561-244-9499.
Anxiety, Depression & Emotions
Emotional coping, behavioral challenges, and family conflict are the top three concerns of children and teens receiving services at Center for Child Counseling. These resources help parents and caregivers understand what their child is experiencing and how to respond with empathy and support.
Understanding Anxiety in Children
Depression & Emotional Well-Being
If you or your child is in crisis: Contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — call or text 988 for free, confidential, 24/7 support. For CFCC services, call 561-244-9499.
Bullying & Cyberbullying
Bullying
Cyberbullying
Family Changes
Major family transitions — divorce, separation, blended families — can be confusing and frightening for children. While parents may be overwhelmed by their own emotions, children need reassurance, honesty, and stability. These resources help you support your child's emotional well-being during times of change.
Identity & Inclusion
Children and teens are developing their sense of self in an increasingly complex world. Parents and caregivers play a critical role in creating environments where all children feel accepted, supported, and valued. Leading medical organizations recommend open, supportive communication as the foundation for healthy child development.
Talking About Race
Supporting All Youth
Leading medical organizations including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry recommend that families create supportive environments, maintain open communication, and connect children with appropriate resources.
Youth in crisis: The Trevor Project provides 24/7, 365-day confidential crisis support. Connect to a counselor. You can also reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — call or text 988.
Screens, Media & Online Safety
In a digital world, parents face new challenges around screen time, social media, and online safety. These resources help you set healthy boundaries, understand the impact of technology on developing minds, and keep your children safe online.
Screen Time & Social Media
Online Safety
Resources & Tools
Keeping Children Safe
Our KidSafe prevention education programs empower children to recognize, resist, and report abuse — while training the adults in their lives to protect them. Over 60,000 children have been empowered through this program.
Tackling Difficult Conversations
Every day, we are bombarded by news and media coverage of conflict, war, school shootings, and other issues going on in our community and around the world. This is anxiety-provoking for most adults, and it's raising questions and concerns for children too.
The horror and senseless violence of a school shooting is overwhelming to wrap one's head around and may seem impossible to explain to children. With Ways to Talk to Children we've put together information and resources to help you navigate those tough conversations with your child.
Watch Our 'Ways to Talk' Videos
Play Is Essential for Children
Play is essential because it contributes to the cognitive, physical, social, and emotional development and well-being of your child. Play also offers a great opportunity for you, as a parent or caregiver, to positively engage and interact with your child.
Through play, children learn to interact with the world around them. Play allows children to create and explore a world they can learn to master, sometimes while practicing adult roles, and in turn, developing a greater understanding of the thoughts and feelings of others.
Explore types of play you can enjoy with your child: Child-Centered Play, Pretend Play, Sensory Play, Art Activities, Feelings at Play, Nature and Outdoor Play, Writing and Journaling, and General Play Ideas.
Explore Ways to Play →A Way of Being
What if there was a way for you to simply "be" around children — a better way? A more effective way to handle difficult behaviors and emotions? Would you embrace ideas that could bring your family closer together and make the time you spend with your child happier and more fulfilling?
Imagine relationships where children felt accepted and parents, teachers, or caregivers felt empowered. Well, there is a way — and it's based on decades of research into childhood brain development, the expertise of countless professionals, and a wealth of information on building resilience. In fact, our work is based on this way of being and is the cornerstone philosophy of our approach.
Explore A Way of Being →Free Workshops for Parents & Caregivers
We offer an array of brief workshops, available online and on-demand, to help you address specific concerns with your child or family. Learn at your own pace, anytime, anywhere — all from trusted experts at Center for Child Counseling.
Myths vs. Facts
Misconceptions about suicide can prevent people from getting help or supporting someone in need. Knowing the facts can save lives.
People who talk about suicide won't really do it.
Almost everyone who attempts suicide has given some clue or warning. Don't ignore even indirect references to death or suicide. Statements like "You'll be sorry when I'm gone" or "I can't see any way out" — no matter how casually said — may indicate serious suicidal feelings.
Anyone who tries to kill themselves must be crazy.
Most suicidal people are not psychotic or insane. They are upset, grief-stricken, depressed, or despairing. Extreme distress and emotional pain are not necessarily signs of mental illness.
If a person is determined to kill themselves, nothing is going to stop them.
Even the most severely depressed person has mixed feelings about death, wavering until the very last moment between wanting to live and wanting to die. Most suicidal people do not want death — they want the pain to stop. The impulse to end it all, however overpowering, does not last forever.
People who die by suicide are people who were unwilling to seek help.
Studies of suicide victims have shown that more than half had sought medical help in the six months prior to their deaths.
Talking about suicide may give someone the idea.
You don't give a suicidal person morbid ideas by talking about suicide. The opposite is true — bringing up the subject and discussing it openly is one of the most helpful things you can do.
Warning Signs & Risk Factors
Warning Signs in Teens
- Change in eating and sleeping habits
- Withdrawal from friends, family, and regular activities
- Violent or rebellious behavior, running away
- Drug and alcohol use
- Unusual neglect of personal appearance
- Persistent boredom, difficulty concentrating, or decline in schoolwork
- Frequent physical complaints (stomachaches, headaches, fatigue)
- Rejecting praise or rewards
- Making statements like "I wish I was dead" or "I won't be a problem much longer"
- Giving away important possessions
- Stopping planning for or talking about the future
Risk Factors
Suicidal thoughts and attempts are often associated with depression. Additional risk factors include:
- Family history of suicide attempts
- Exposure to violence
- Impulsivity
- Aggressive or disruptive behavior
- Access to firearms
- Bullying (in-person or online)
- Feelings of hopelessness or helplessness
- Acute loss or rejection
Suicide Prevention: What You Can Do
Speak up if you are worried. Ask directly how they are doing and that you are concerned. Listen and be sympathetic. Respond quickly if they have a suicide plan, a means to carry it out, a time set for doing it, and the intention to do it.
Rather than putting thoughts in your child's head, these questions provide assurance that somebody cares and give your child the chance to talk about problems:
Parents, teachers, and friends should always err on the side of caution and safety.
Any child or adolescent with suicidal thoughts or plans should be evaluated immediately by a trained and qualified mental health professional. Call 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), go to your nearest emergency room, or contact Center for Child Counseling at 561-244-9499.
Palm Beach County Bullying Hotline
The School District of Palm Beach County has an anonymous hotline for reporting bullying. If your child is being bullied at school, you can report it confidentially.
For additional bullying resources, visit StopBullying.gov
Spanish-Language Resources
We are committed to serving all families in our community. These trusted resources are available in Spanish to support parents and caregivers.
Center for Child Counseling ofrece servicios en español. Nuestro equipo incluye clinicians y personal bilingüe que pueden brindar apoyo en español. Comuníquese con nosotros para conectar a su familia con los servicios adecuados.
Información confiable sobre la salud emocional de los niños — desde enfrentar un divorcio hasta manejar el comportamiento de su hijo, respaldada por profesionales médicos.
El Child Mind Institute se dedica a transformar la vida de los niños y las familias que enfrentan trastornos de salud mental y del aprendizaje.
Need Personalized Support?
These resources are a great starting point — but if your child or family needs direct help, our team is ready to connect you with the right services.