Finding Resources to Help Children & Their Families

Where do you turn when your child needs help? Whether your little one is having trouble with reading or your whole family is dealing with a health or money crisis, there is someone who can help or who can guide you to the resources you need. Schools are a great place to start. Community organizations, the YMCA, churches, temples, and synagogues often can be lifesavers as well. Here's a start on where to look for different types of help.

Tutors make a difference. Kids are learning more today than ever before, and sometimes children have trouble keeping up. Yet it's vital that they get caught up. Whether it's reading, writing, math, science, or social studies, there are resources available to tutor children who need help - and to help their parents help them. Talk to your child's teacher, counselor, or principal to discover what you can do at home to help, and find out what programs are available. And then make sure to follow up. Your child's future success can depend on his or her school success, so even if the tutoring or extra help sessions are at an inconvenient time, attending and participating is worth it in so many ways.

Mentors and Big Brothers/Big Sisters. Countless people are devoted to helping other peoples' children succeed in tough times. They understand the pressures many families are under these days and want to use their time and energy to ease the burden. Ask your school counselor or principal if there are programs like Big Brothers/Big Sisters in your area. Find out if there are special mentoring programs that link children with specially trained adults who can provide academic and social help. These people want to help and they can make a world of difference in a child's life.

Caring about health. Children need to be able to go to the doctor's office both when they're ill or injured and to receive check-ups and preventive care. Uninsured kids often are forced to go without care because their families can't afford it. Fortunately, there's free or low-cost health insurance available for eligible children nationwide. Your school social worker, nurse, or guidance counselor should have all the information you need. You can also find out details about the eligibility requirements in your state by visiting the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services web site at www.insurekidsnow.gov/questions.asp#what1. Dental care, as well as medical care, is often available.

Working to overcome. Maybe your family is undergoing some serious changes like a move, a divorce, a financial crisis, or a serious illness or death. Perhaps your child is being bullied - or is bullying others. Maybe your child is having difficulty concentrating in the classroom or when doing homework, or seems to be withdrawn. Or perhaps you just sense that something's wrong. Turn to your school social workers. They confidentially work with students and families, teachers, principals, nurses, and others to help children cope better and become more emotionally healthy.

There is such a thing as a free lunch. When families find themselves in hard times financially, their children don't have to worry about going hungry during the school day. Schools offer free and reduced-price lunches for children whose family incomes are below a certain level. And, of course, the Department of Health and Human Services Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program (welfare) can make all the difference when things look their lowest. Ask your child's school counselor for information and assistance signing your children up.

All families face challenges in one form or another, and finding the available resources can help ease the burden. Don't be afraid or ashamed to approach your child's school staff to assist you when times get tough. It will benefit both your and your children.

National Association of Elementary School Principals Report to Parents, written to serve elementary and middle-level principals, may be reproduced by NAESP members without permission.

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