Almost all of us have been there: you’re at home with a newborn baby not feeling totally sure you know what you’re doing. You call your mom, your sister, and your best friend who lives three states away. It helps but what you really need is another parent who is able to offer the support that is so helpful coming from someone in the same boat as you.
Support groups are the perfect place to meet parents that you immediately have something in common with: a child of similar age or one who may have a developmental delay or medical issue. Not only will you be among peers who are dealing with similar issues, you’re also putting yourself in an environment ripe with possibilities for friendships that will last–for you and your child.
Here are a variety of Monterey County and Santa Cruz County organizations offering classes and groups:
FIRST FIVE MONTEREY COUNTY/ALISAL RESOURCE CENTER
Offering virtual playgroups for children ages 0-5 and their caregivers. Caregivers can ask questions and discuss developmental learning while enjoying a variety of activities including art, music, and storytime.
1441 Del Monte Avenue, Salinas
(831) 753-5700, www.alisal.org
FIRST FIVE SANTA CRUZ COUNTY
Parents and caregivers can get as little or as much parenting support as they’d like from trained Triple P practitioners in a number of organizations throughout the county. Triple P services are available in English and Spanish for families with children birth-12 (Core Triple P), families with teens (Teen Triple P), and families with children with special needs (Stepping Stones Triple P). Services include workshops, online programs, individual sessions, group classes, and parenting support.
4450 Capitola Road, Suite 106, Capitola • (831) 465-2217, www.first5scc.org
NEW PARENT SUPPORT FLEET & FAMILY
The New Parent Support Home Visitation Program (NPSHVP) is a free support service program designed to meet the needs of expectant active-duty military personnel, their spouses, and those families with children under the age of 4. The program was created to provide prenatal and parenting skills education to active-duty service members and their families.
1280 Leahy Road, Monterey • 831-656-3060, monterey.navylifesw.com
THE PARENT’S CENTER
Located at the Salinas Adult School, The Parent Center offers parents and caregivers information to nurture children in a positive, healthy, and loving environment. From pregnancy until your child goes to Kindergarten, the center has classes to support you along the way. Weekly classes offer parents the opportunity to learn about a variety of topics while participating in baby/caregiver activities.
20 Sherwood Place, Salinas • (831) 796-6900, www.salinasuhsd.org
PARENT’S PLACE
Parent’s Place in Pacific Grove provides weekly 2-hour classes that a parent/caregiver and child attend together. Each class is designed for children in a specific age range, allowing for play and discussion suitable for that developmental stage. Weekly classes include age-appropriate activities, circle time, and art exploration. Classes are led by teachers with Adult Education credentials, most with credentials in early childhood development, all are parents themselves and most are former students of the Parents’ Place program. Most classes are during daytime hours but there is one evening group for parents of toddlers that is virtual.
1025 Lighthouse Avenue, Pacific Grove • (831) 646-6623, pgadulted.pgusd.org
SPECIAL KIDS CONNECT
Special Kids Connect’s Early Start Family Resource Center offers guidance to parents of children, ages birth to 3 years, who have, or suspect they have developmental delays. Special Kids Connect offers parent-to-parent support for parents who are seeking guidance from someone who has traveled the road they are on and is willing to be a friend and mentor. The organization actively supports and is a participant in a number of parent support groups in Monterey, Salinas, Soledad, and Greenfield.
1900 Garden Road, # 230, Monterey • 831-372-2730, specialkidsconnect.org
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