Community Resources
There are many wonderful resources available for families and child care providers in the Westchester Community.
Local Resources:
- 211
A "right now" safety net and resources for the Hudson Valley community. They connect individuals from basic to critical resources; such as heating, food, shelter, tax assistance, mortgage questions, natural disaster and personal crisis calls. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in mulitple languages. And calls are absolutely confidential - Westchester County Website
Offices, programs, services and calendars of events offered by Westchester County government. - Westchester Children's Association
An organization with a mission to improve the lives of Westchester’s children by shaping policies and programs to meet their needs, and by keeping the well-being of Westchester’s children at the top of the public agenda. - The New York State myBenefits site
Connects families to public benefit programs that can improve families' overall economic situation and free resources that can be used for child care. The link has a pre-screening tool to see what health and human services programs families may be eligible for. - Westchester Library System
Provides information about the county's public libraries. Site also offers online book catalogs, research links, homework help and library news. - Early Intervention Program
Services for infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families. - Family Ties
Provides support and services to families of children with social, emotional, and behavioral difficulties. - Need Food? Need Food?
Feeding Westchester provides a list of food pantries, soup kitchens, and other resources for food for hungry people. - Neighbors Link
An organization with a mission to strengthen the whole community through the healthy integration of immigrants. - Concern or Complaint about Child Care
The Child Care Council of Westchester will take your information if you have concerns or want to make a complaint about a child care program. Call (914) 761-3456 and press “0”to be connected to the operator. You will be transferred to someone who can speak to you directly. - You may also call the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (NYS OCFS) for complaints about child care programs. Call (800) 732-5207 to make a complaint call.
- Concern about the wellbeing of a child/Child Abuse Hotline
To report suspected child abuse or maltreatment, call The Child Abuse Hotline: (800) 342-3720.
Parent Resources:
- American Academy of Pediatrics
A comprehensive website that includes health tips, articles on current research, advocacy information, activities and much more. - NYS Parent Guide
A parent's guide to building a nurtuting, healthy relationship with your child. - text4babyFree text messaging services for pregnant women and new moms. Sent three times a week, texts include information on having a healthy pregnancy and baby.
- A Driver's Manual for NEW Dads A parent's guide for dads.
- Daily Vroom Phone App
An app that helps busy parents make the most of the time they have. Turn fun, everyday moments into brain building moments. Vroom turns shared moments into brain building moments. Whether it's mealtime, bath time, or anytime in between, there are always ways to nuture our children's growth. - Born Learning
Is designed as a tool for long-lasting community change that supports young children. It has three cornerstones:- Awareness: Providing important information about how young children learn
- Education: Providing easy, fun action steps that parents, grandparents and caregivers can use very day
- Action: Providing a visible platform for public policy and action
- Child Care Aware of America
Helps parents find information on locating child care in their community. - Children at Risk
Consequences for School Readiness and Beyond - Children’s Defense Fund
Provides a strong, effective voice for all children of America, paying particular attention to the needs of the poor and minority children. - Consumer Product Safety Commission
Provides lists of the latest product recalls. - Families and Work Institute
Information on work-life issues and concerns confronting workers and employers. - Head Start
Information from Administration for Children and Families (ACF) on finding a program in your state, getting your child into Head Start, starting a Head Start program, and resources for families and communities. - Lead Awareness Program
Information on how to protect your child from lead poisoning. - NYS Parent Education Partnership
All children should grow up in nurturing families. The mission of the New York State Parenting Education Partnership (NYSPEP) is to make that happen, by improving parenting skills and behavior through a strong, statewide network.
Parent Helpline 1-800-CHILDREN (1-800-244-5373) available everyday 9am to 10pm
A caring and confidential Helpline where parents can get information and referrals to places in their community that can help. - Zero to Three
Zero to Three is a national organization that provides child development information for parents and professional regarding infants and toddlers.
Professional Resources:
- NYS Office of Children and Family Services
Web site contains information relating to childcare in New York State, which includes registering and licensing the different types of childcare programs. It is also a resource for obtaining documents associated with registering and licensing the programs. There is information on New York State regulatory laws governing all childcare programs as well as their compliance history. -
PROVIDERS NETWORK - Connect with other Family and Group Family Providers. The Network meets 4 times a year for breakfast and a training. Contact Sarah Rupert, CCCW Infant Toddler Specialist, at 914-761-3456 ext. 107 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
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WESTCHESTER EARLY CHILDHOOD DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION - The Association meets the third Tuesday of the month from 1:00pm - 3:00pm. Contact Howard Milbert at Ossining Children’s Center at (914) 941-0230 or Dawn Meyerski at Mt. Kisco Child Care Center at (914) 241-2135 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.for details.
- Child Care Provider Handbook ~ A Providers Manual for the Child Care Subsidy Program
Contains all the information providers will need to understand how the subsidy system works and best practices for providers and parents to be successful in working with the subsidy program - The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
Founded in 1926, The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) is the world's largest organization working on behalf of young children with nearly 80,000 members, a national network of more than 300 state and local Affiliates, and a growing global alliance of like-minded organizations. - Zero To Three
Zero To Three is a national, nonprofit organization that informs, trains, and supports professionals, policymakers, and parents in their efforts to improve the lives of infants and toddlers. Their mission is to promote the health and development of infants and toddlers. - The Educational Incentive Program (EIP)
EIP is a scholarship program funded by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (NYS OCFS). Its purpose is to assist childcare providers in paying for the professional development training and education they need to provide quality care to children. - The Medication Administration and Health and Safety Training Rebate Program
Funding is available to help childcare providers obtain professional development and education. In addition, rebates are available to help offset the cost of MAT and Health and Safety training. - Cornell Cooperative Extension
The Cornell Cooperative Extension educational system enables people to improve their lives and communities through partnerships that put experience and research knowledge to work. - Consumer Product Safety Commission
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death from thousands of types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. 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. - Children’s Defense Fund
The Children's Defense Fund (CDF) is a non-profit child advocacy organization that has worked relentlessly for over 35 years to ensure a level playing field for all children. - Early Childhood Director’s Network The Children's Defense Fund (CDF) is a non-profit child advocacy organization that has worked relentlessly for over 35 years to ensure a level playing field for all children.
School Age Resources:
- NYS for Youth Success
New York State for Youth Success is a leading voice of the afterschool profession dedicated to the development, education and care of children and youth during their out-of-school hours. - The National Institute on Out of School Time (NIOST)
NIOST is an action-research institute that provides a national perspective on the critical issues facing the out-of-school time field as well as interactive, research based training opportunities. - Afterschool Alliance
The Afterschool Alliance is a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness of the importance of afterschool programs and advocating for quality, affordable programs for all children. - School-Age Director's Network (SADN)
The Network meets the second Tuesday of the month from 10:00am - 12:00pm. Contact Kim De Salvo, Ardsley Children’s Center, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.and Joanne Saporta, Chappaqua Children's Workshop, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..