Parenting is one of the most rewarding jobs in the world, but it’s also one of the hardest. You don’t have to figure everything out on your own. In California, there’s a great resource for families: Family Resource Centers (FRCs).
\nThink of an FRC as your neighborhood’s one-stop shop for help, hope, and community. Whether you need a bag of groceries, a parenting class, or just a place where your toddler can play while you talk to another adult, your local FRC is there for you.
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These centers are built to be a bridge between you and the services you need, and they are always there to give you an extra bit of help and community whenever you feel like dropping in.","marks":[],"data":{}}]},{"nodeType":"paragraph","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"text","value":"Some FRCs are specifically part of the ","marks":[],"data":{}},{"nodeType":"hyperlink","data":{"uri":"https://www.dds.ca.gov/services/early-start/"},"content":[{"nodeType":"text","value":"Early Start Program","marks":[],"data":{}}]},{"nodeType":"text","value":". Those FRCs focus on helping families with children who have disabilities or special needs find and use local services. No matter what your family looks like, an FRC is a safe, welcoming place where you and your family are the priority.","marks":[],"data":{}}]},{"nodeType":"heading-2","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"text","value":"What Kind of Help Can You Find?","marks":[],"data":{}}]},{"nodeType":"paragraph","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"text","value":"Because every neighborhood is different, every FRC is a little different too. However, most centers offer a wide range of free or low-cost resources. These centers lean into what families need in real time.","marks":[],"data":{}}]},{"nodeType":"paragraph","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"text","value":"Common resources include:","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"data":{}}]},{"nodeType":"unordered-list","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"list-item","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"paragraph","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"text","value":"Basic Needs:","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"data":{}},{"nodeType":"text","value":" Help finding food banks, clothing, or housing assistance.","marks":[],"data":{}}]}]},{"nodeType":"list-item","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"paragraph","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"text","value":"Parenting Support:","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"data":{}},{"nodeType":"text","value":" Classes on child development, stress management, and “Early Start” groups for siblings.","marks":[],"data":{}}]}]},{"nodeType":"list-item","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"paragraph","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"text","value":"Health and Wellness: ","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"data":{}},{"nodeType":"text","value":"Help filling out forms for health insurance or finding a local doctor.","marks":[],"data":{}}]}]},{"nodeType":"list-item","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"paragraph","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"text","value":"Play and Learning: ","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"data":{}},{"nodeType":"text","value":"Fun playgroups where your child can learn social skills while you meet other parents.","marks":[],"data":{}}]}]}]},{"nodeType":"paragraph","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"text","value":"No matter what you are looking for, the staff at an FRC will work with you to find a solution that fits your family.","marks":[],"data":{}}]},{"nodeType":"heading-2","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"text","value":"What to Expect During Your First Visit","marks":[],"data":{}}]},{"nodeType":"paragraph","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"text","value":"Walking into a new place can feel a bit nerve-racking, but FRCs are designed to feel like a living room rather than a cold office. You can expect a warm welcome and a staff that is ready to listen without judgment.","marks":[],"data":{}}]},{"nodeType":"paragraph","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"text","value":"Don’t feel like you need to have a fancy speech ready. The best way to ask for help is to be specific. Some things to say could be:","marks":[],"data":{}}]},{"nodeType":"unordered-list","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"list-item","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"paragraph","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"text","value":"“I'm looking for a local playgroup for my 2-year-old.”","marks":[],"data":{}}]}]},{"nodeType":"list-item","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"paragraph","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"text","value":"“I’m feeling overwhelmed with my newborn. Do you have any parent support groups?”","marks":[],"data":{}}]}]},{"nodeType":"list-item","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"paragraph","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"text","value":"“I need help finding a food pantry that’s open on weekends.”","marks":[],"data":{}}]}]}]},{"nodeType":"paragraph","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"text","value":"The more you share about your needs, the better the center can help you create a plan of action.","marks":[],"data":{}}]},{"nodeType":"heading-2","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"text","value":"Building Your Community","marks":[],"data":{}}]},{"nodeType":"paragraph","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"text","value":"One of the best things about an FRC is the people you can meet. Parenting can feel lonely, but FRCs can help you build a village.","marks":[],"data":{}}]},{"nodeType":"paragraph","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"text","value":"When you join a parent group or go to a playgroup hosted by the center, you get access to helpful family services. At the same time, you're building a network of other local parents who can support you as your child grows.","marks":[],"data":{}}]},{"nodeType":"heading-2","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"text","value":"Find Your Local Center","marks":[],"data":{}}]},{"nodeType":"paragraph","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"text","value":"Ready to find your village? Most FRCs are located right in the heart of your community, close to schools or parks.","marks":[],"data":{}}]},{"nodeType":"unordered-list","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"list-item","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"paragraph","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"text","value":"To find your local Family Resource Center","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"data":{}},{"nodeType":"text","value":", use the ","marks":[],"data":{}},{"nodeType":"hyperlink","data":{"uri":"https://frcnca.org/get-connected/"},"content":[{"nodeType":"text","value":"FRCNCA Directory.","marks":[],"data":{}}]},{"nodeType":"text","value":"","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"data":{}}]}]},{"nodeType":"list-item","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"paragraph","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"text","value":"To learn more about Early Start services","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"data":{}},{"nodeType":"text","value":", visit the ","marks":[],"data":{}},{"nodeType":"hyperlink","data":{"uri":"https://www.dds.ca.gov/services/early-start/"},"content":[{"nodeType":"text","value":"Department of Developmental Services","marks":[],"data":{}}]},{"nodeType":"text","value":".","marks":[],"data":{}}]}]}]},{"nodeType":"paragraph","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"text","value":"Your community is ready to welcome you with open arms!","marks":[],"data":{}}]}]}},"author":{"name":"First 5 California","image":{"file":{"url":"//images.ctfassets.net/xf6mqlbz6glx/4pO9QBIn13KrsiJXdYwN16/a89042a9f8c029e5e5694d4fbdd0877f/first-5-california-logo.png"}}},"sources":{"json":{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"","nodeType":"text"},{"data":{"uri":"https://www.ca-ilg.org/general/family-resource-centers"},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"Institute for Local Government","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"hyperlink"},{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"paragraph"},{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"","nodeType":"text"},{"data":{"uri":"https://qualitystartla.org/leaning-into-family-resource-centers-to-support-families/"},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"Quality Start Los Angeles","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"hyperlink"},{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"paragraph"},{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"","nodeType":"text"},{"data":{"uri":"https://frcnca.org/"},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"Family Resource Centers Network of California","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"hyperlink"},{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"paragraph"}],"nodeType":"document"}},"bookImage":null,"bookDescription":null,"bookDownload":null,"bookLink":null,"youtubeVideoId":null,"showFeaturedVideo":null,"showFeaturedActivities":null},"sidebarContent":{"pageFeaturedDownloadLabel":null,"pageFeaturedDownloadTitle":null,"pageFeaturedDownloadImage":null,"pageFeaturedDownloadAsset":null,"pageFeaturedDownloadLink":null,"pageFeaturedDownloadCta":null,"pageFeaturedVideo":null,"pageFeaturedService":null,"pageFeaturedActivities":null,"pageFeaturedQuote":null}},"pageContext":{"id":"e300f506-1f64-5586-b558-7b216509573c","contentful_id":"3UcynFdyRSLPxA5Vd4AnuJ","locale":"es-MX","section":"topics"}},"staticQueryHashes":["1119012108","1697936219","179512363","179512363","179512363","2544526753","2864971689","2920524551","526850764","526850764","526850764","576933679","984081858"]}