Resources and Support for
Parents & Caregivers
We understand that being a parent or caregiver comes with its unique set of joys and challenges. This page is dedicated to providing you with a wealth of information, tools, and resources to assist you in navigating the various aspects of parenting and caregiving. Whether you’re looking for expert advice on child development, tips for managing parenting stress, or seeking support from the community, you’ve come to the right place. We believe that by equipping parents and caregivers with the necessary resources and support we can help create a nurturing and thriving environment for children. Explore our collection of resources, and embark on your journey to becoming the best parent or caregiver you can be.
Early Identification and Intervention for Children with Special Needs
Physical Needs, Mental Health Needs, and Nutritional Needs
Ensuring Access to Quality Early Learning Opportunities
Getting Support for Family Needs
A Foundation for Lifelong Success
The first several years of life set the foundation for all aspects of human development. This is when we develop our capacity to love and feel, to have a sense of self, and to adapt to the environment around us. It starts at infancy. Throughout early childhood, healthy development hinges on how young children are nurtured by their families and those who care for them.
Giving Babies A Chance
Prevention of mental health problems starts with the healthy social and emotional development of babies. From birth through three-years, it’s critical that nurturing relationships and positive life experiences take place. Healthy, supportive interactions with adults give young children the social and emotional skills that children need to develop.
Everyone who comes into contact with very young children from parents to grandparents to other caretakers needs to understand how important it is to provide positive experiences and enrichment. Young children need to be loved, nurtured, and supported.
What Makes a High-Quality Early Education or VPK Program?
Pre-K and early childhood care programs are successful when they teach children to be curious and to love learning and problem-solving. To achieve this, programs need to give kids the chance to learn hands-on and connect what they’re learning to their everyday lives. Teachers and caregivers, like parents and family members, should have meaningful conversations with children and ask them lots of questions. Children need to be asked what they’re thinking and what they want to know. They not only deserve this they need it to develop.
Early childhood programs also help kids learn skills they need to be successful in a school setting. What may be very simple for us, like how to wait, can be very hard for kids who are 3 to 5. Great programs help children learn self control, turn-taking, sharing, and how to handle feeling frustrated or upset.
“Lawrence Schweinhart, who conducted the Perry Preschool Project, discovered that high-quality early care and education does more than pay significant returns to young children and their families. He noted the tremendous benefits to others in society, including taxpayers, as the costs associated with special education services and student grade repetition are lowered. When young children from underserved communities are better prepared for Kindergarten, they are more likely to receive higher grades in school, graduate from high school, meet future labor force demands, and increase their lifelong earning potential.” Excerpt from Being Black is Not a Risk Factor: Statistics and Strengths-Based Solutions in the State of Florida.
Learning Doesn’t Stop at School
Build opportunities to learn into all of your everyday parenting moments. Whether you’re waiting in line to get your groceries or you’re walking in your yard looking at butterflies and bees, you can talk to your child.
Ask them what they think, tell them how you feel, and give their developing brains lots of opportunities to learn on the fly.
Donate
Donations support the work of Thrive by Five, from support and assistance for young children and their families to resources and boosters for early childhood service providers, facilitating family-friendly workplaces, and advocating for the County’s youngest in various other capacities, all alongside extensive work to help streamline collaboration among a vast network of partners and stakeholders.
We accept support from individuals, organizations, businesses, and legacy giving. To discuss opportunities to support Thrive by Five through charitable giving, contact Dr. Diana Santangelo.
GET INVOLVED
We believe in the power of education and support to bring joy, growth, and care to young minds. Be a part of this journey. Complete the form below and get involved for change.