click on the name of the organization or service (highlighted in blue) to view their web site:
New and Recently Launched Web Sites
GetChildCareNOW.com: The most comprehensive source of early childhood and after school programs information available in North Texas. Our real-time search engine allows parents to find quality child care for their children, child care providers to showcase their unique program qualities, and corporations to help employees find effective child care solutions.
HealthyChildren.org: If you have questions about a specific condition or are looking for general guidance, HealthyChildren.org is committed to offering the most reliable, up-to-the-minute health advice for proactive parents and caregivers. HealthyChildren.org empowers parents to be proactive about their children's health, whether it's learning about the vaccines their infant needs, the developmental milestones to watch for in their toddler, or how to stay connected with their teenager.
Let's Move! Child Care: This comprehensive initiative, launched by the First Lady Michelle Obama, is dedicated to solving the challenge of childhood obesity within a generation, so that children born today will grow up healthier and able to pursue their dreams.
Some Helpful Web Sites & Phone Numbers
Child Care Licensing (to make reports or check licensing status of child care providers): 214-951-7902
Child Protective Services (CPS): Child Abuse issues, call 800-252-5400; CPS Issues, call 877-787-8999
Community Council of Greater Dallas: Community Help line: 211
CHIP (Children's Health Insurance Program): 877-543-7669
DART (Dallas Area Rapid Transit): 214-979-1111
Easter Seals North Texas: Dallas 214-372-3388; Carrollton 972-394-8900; National: toll free 800-221-6827
Head Start of Greater Dallas: 972-283-6400
Relay Texas Information (for the hearing impaired) : 888-782-8477
Salvation Army DFW: Headquarters 214-637-8100
United Way of Metropolitan Dallas: 214-978-000
Local Web Sites
Child Abuse Prevention Center: The Center's mission is to break the cycle of child abuse by equipping parents and caregivers for success and is a key provider for prevention services for at-risk children and families in Dallas County. The Center works to empower its clients by teaching positive parenting methods and supporting parents in strengthening their families, emotionally, economically, and socially.
Dallas Association for the Education of Young Children (DAEYC): Dallas AEYC is a professional organization dedicated to improving the lives of young children and families.
The Arc of Dallas Area Resource Directory: Information on services available for persons with developmental disabilities, their families, and other professionals and agencies in the Greater Dallas area.
The TCU Institute of Child Development (ICD): A newly formed Institute (2005) created as a "Vision-In-Action" initiative whose mission is "research, training, and service dedicated to the needs of families with at-risk children." ICD has a groundbreaking treatment for children with behavioral problems. They do not offer direct intervention services to the public, but they inform families how to access intervention (books, media, counselors trained by ICD). "A good referral source for worried parents."
Workforce Solutions Greater Dallas: A local partnership of business, education, labor and community leaders that achieve excellence by providing high-quality services that meet labor market needs of employers and residents.
Workforce Solutions One-Stop Centers: Whether you are a job seeker looking for work, or an employer seeking to fill an opening, our Workforce Centers can help you meet your needs. Assistance is available in areas ranging from finding a job, career training, child care, to layoff assistance and employer services.
State Web Sites
Center for Public Policy Priorities: A policy research organization that works to influence the economic and social conditions of individuals, families, and communities.
Children's Learning Institute: The Center for Improving the Readiness of Children for Learning and Education (CIRCLE) at The University of Texas Health Science Center is now part of the Children's Learning Institute. Services include clinical assessment, diagnosis and treatment of learning disorders, and cutting-edge research on techniques to enhance a child’s home and learning environment.
Healthy Child Care Texas: Information for early care and education providers to obtain help through consultation and technical assistance to increase their response to the health and safety needs of children.
Prevent Child Abuse Texas: The leading organization working to prevent the abuse and neglect of our state's children.
Texans Care for Children: Provides information for advocates and policymakers about the well-being of children.
Texas Association for Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (TACCRRA): Works to promote the partnership, improvement, and preservation of quality child care resource and referral services.
Texas Association for the Education of Young Children (TAEYC): TAEYC, an affiliate of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), is committed to excellence in early childhood education.
Texas Early Childhood Education Coalition (TECEC): The Texas Early Childhood Education Coalition was formed in 2003 to build a system of quality early development and education that prepares children in Texas for success in their education and life.
Texas Education Agency (TEA): The mission of the Texas Education Agency is to provide leadership, guidance, and resources to help schools meet the educational needs of all students.
Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC): Administers state and federal human services programs that benefit low-income families and children, victims of domestic violence, and people who are elderly or have disabilities.
Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) : Government agency that manages community-based programs that prevent delinquency, ill-treatment, and exploitation of children, the elderly, and disabled adults.
Texas Legislature On-line: Information on House of Representatives, Senate, and other agencies; legislative information and resources.
Texas Office of Attorney General
Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) : Agency in charge of monitoring and providing services to employers and individuals looking for employment.
National Web Sites
Administration for Children and Families: A federal agency funding state, local, and tribal organizations to provide programs for children and families.
Center for the Child Care Workforce: Works to improve the quality of child care services by upgrading the wages, benefits, training opportunities, and working conditions for child care teachers and family child care providers.
ChildCareAware: Is committed to helping parents locate quality child care and child care resources in their community by connecting them with the local agencies best equipped to serve their needs.
Children's Defense Fund: Child advocacy organization that works to ensure children a safe and healthy life.
Council for Early Childhood Professional Recognition: Works to improve and meet the growing need for qualified staff and offers information on the CDA credential.
Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center: Offered by the Administration for Children and Families, Office of Head Start.
Healthy Child Care America: A collaborative effort working to improve the health and well-being of children in child care.
HealthyChildren.org: Empowers parents to be proactive about their children's health, whether it's learning about the vaccines their infant needs, the developmental milestones to watch for in their toddler, or how to stay connected with their teenager. Backed by 60,000 American Academy of Pediatrics member pediatricians and committed to offering the most reliable, up-to-the-minute health advice for proactive parents and caregivers.
I Am Your Child: Public awareness campaign to make early childhood development a top priority for our nation educating parents and professionals about new discoveries in brain development research.
National After School Association: A leading voice of the afterschool profession dedicated to the development, education and care of children and youth during their out-of-school hours.
National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (NACCRRA): A membership organization whose purpose is to build a diverse, high-quality child care system with parental choice and equal access for all families.
National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC): Devoted to assuring the provision of high quality early childhood programs for young children.
National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC): The focus of NAFCC is to provide technical assistance to family child care associations. Assistance is provided through developing leadership, professionalism, addressing issues of diversity, and promoting quality through NAFCC's Family Child Care accreditation.
National Black Child Development Institute (NBCDI): Improves and protects the quality of life of African American children and families.
National Child Care Association (NCCA): A professional trade association focused exclusively on the needs of licensed, private childhood care and education programs and is the only organization representing the specific interests of the licensed, private community.
National Child Care Information Center (NCCIC): A project of the Child Care Bureau, that works to ensure that all children and families have access to high-quality comprehensive services.
National Network for Child Care (NNCC): We network with committed individuals around the country to bring you practical information and resources that will be useful to you in your everyday work with children.
National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care: Provides child care licensure regulations for each state. Health and safety tips and other resources are also available.
US Department of Health and Human Services
US Bureau of the Census: Offers useful child care data, i.e., child care costs and use of various child are arrangements.
USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program : Provides nutritious meals and snacks to infants, young children, and impaired adults in day care.
Welfare Information Network: Clearinghouse for information, policy analysis, and technical assistance on welfare reform, including child care benefits.
Zero to Three: Promotes the healthy development of our nations infants and toddlers by supporting and strengthening families, communities and those who work on their behalf.
