Parent Assistance Resources
Connectivity Assistance
WiFi Map A website and app for iOS and Android devices that helps you find free WiFi nearby to help decrease your cellular data use
Local Food Pantries/Food Assistance Programs/Housing Programs
#NoKidHungry If you have kids in need of breakfast and lunch this summer, simply text "FOOD" to 304304 and you'll receive a message with the closest location where they can get free summer meals. There's no paperwork to fill out, no income requirement to meet. They just feed the kids. It’s really that simple. They serve kids 18 and under. As long as they can eat table food, they can eat with this program. No Kid Hungry has access to information about tens of thousands of groups serving free meals nationwide as part of the the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Summer Food Service Program.
US Dept of Agriculture Free Meals Nutritious free meals are available for children and teens 18 and younger at many locations throughout Pennsylvania throughout the summer. Use the mapping tool at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to find a site near you.
WIC (Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants & Toddlers)
Parent Support Groups on Facebook (search on Facebook by group's name)
Lehigh Valley & Slate Belt, PA Special Needs Parent Support Group
Colonial IU20 Parent Support Group
Colonial IU20 Teacher-Parent Support Group
Pocono Autism Society
Pocono Special Needs Network
Pocono Mom's Support For Special Needs Kid's
Parent to Parent of Pennsylvania
Special Needs Parents Support & Discussion Group
Parents of twice exceptional children
Parent Support Groups Lehigh Valley
Kidspeace: Connect with other parents parents/guardians of children with autism. Find resources and supports. Great ideas for future planning, care, and programs. FREE with light refreshments. Please RSVP by Wednesday prior to the meeting. When: Every second Saturday of the month, 10:00am to 11:30am Where: Kidspeace, CDTRC Building, 1620 Broadway Street, Bethlehem, PA 18015 (meeting place is in front of the building, please be on time) Contact: Lauren DeLucia 610-799-8225 or lauren.delucia@kidspeace.org
Faith Lutheran Church: Educational speakers are invited to do a presentation and a Q&A to follow. Light refreshments are available. When: One Saturday a month depending on availability of the speaker 2-4p.m., schedule is printed in advance. Where: Faith Lutheran Church, 2012 Sullivan Trail, Easton, PA RSVP: or call 610-554-1988
Spanish Autism Support Group: Where: ReciproCity, 1329 W Hamilton Street, Allentown
Breaking the Barriers Caring and Sharing Support Group: A support group for parents of children, all ages, with disabilities of any kind. Empowering and educating families on the system by providing regulatory guidance. Providing guidance on PDE / county / DPW / State/ Medical Challenges. (610) 770-9394/(610) 349-8066 P.O. Box 4056 Allentown, PA 18105 Contact: Paulette Hunter
Good Shepherd Parents of Children with Special Medical or Complex Needs Types of Complex Needs: Chronic illness, congenital disorders, spina bifida, muscular dystrophy, developmental delay or disabilities, and/or traumatic injury (brain injury, spinal cord injury, burn, amputation) When: Last Monday every month at 6p.m. Where: Good Shepherd Rehab, Hospital Pediatric Unit, 2855 Schoenersville Rd, Bethlehem, PA 18017 Call: Becky Small, LCSW at 610-807-4252 Light refreshments will be served.
Morningstar Fellowship Church (Starting 1/10/20): Support group for parents, guardians, caretakers, and anyone affected by raising children with autism, sensory processing disorder, ADHD, and other neuro-atypical disorders. When: Every 2nd and 4th Friday of the month. Where: 429 South 9th Street, Quakertown, PA 18951
Parent Support Groups Monroe/Pike County
Pike Autism Support Services: When: 3rd Wednesday of the month. Where: The Milford Community House, 201 Broad St., Suite#4, Milford PA 18337. Babysitting with reasonable advance notice. Email us at babysitting@passnepa.org to make arrangements.
Parents of Children with Asperger Syndrome: This is primarily a discussion group at this time. Where: Meetings are held on the last Tuesday of the month at the Hughes Library in Stroudsburg. Contact Barbara at (570) 424-3766 E-mail balloonstamper11@yahoo.com
Pocono Autism Society: A non-profit support organization for families and professionals involved with Autism/Pervasive Developmental Disorders. Where: Hughes Library, 1002 N.9th St., Stroudsburg When: Meetings are held during the months when school is in session, Sept - May . Pocono Autism now has 1 monthly meeting: - A daytime meeting the 4th Wednesday of each month at 9:30 am.
Sensory Books and Websites
Stress Reduction Workshop (Powerpoint)
Grandparent/Kinship Support
KinConnector (1-866-KIN-2111) KinConnector is a helpline for families in kinship care situations, including grandparents raising their grandchildren because of the opioid crisis. The KinConnector helpline can help kinship care families access local, state, and federal resources.
The Pennsylvania Caregiver Support Program aims to reduce stress on primary, informal, unpaid caregivers.
Autism Resources
Car Seat and Traffic Safety
PA Kids Travel Safe: The American Academy of Pediatrics has operated the Traffic Injury Prevention Project (TIPP) under contract with PENNDOT. TIPP plans and implements a statewide project focused on traffic safety issues for children birth to 21 years. Topics include bicycle, school bus, pedestrian, seat belts, car seats, the car seat loan program, transportation of children with special health care needs, and underage drinking.