Family Resources

Resources for parents, providers, and families of children birth to 3

Pinellas County Coummunity Foundation & Juvenile Welfare Board logos

Welcome! We’re glad you found us. On this page, we’ve gathered many resources that will be of interest to parents, coparents and childcare providers who care for children birth to age 3.

2024 was a historic and in many ways, stressful year for all families, particularly families caring for young children. Families affected or displaced by Hurricanes Helene and Milton in the fall have had so much to deal with, and back in October 2024 we shared the National Child Traumatic Stress Network's tip sheet for parents regarding ways to understand and help very young children after a natural disaster or major life event like a storm causes disruptions. This tip sheet is timeless, and one worth keeping at hand as a reminder of how to support even the youngest of children.

Storm-related assistance remains available through the holidays; the deadline to apply for FEMA in the wake of Hurricanes Helene and Milton has been extended to January 7th, 2025. You can apply by phone at 800-621-3362. Lines are open every day and help is available in most languages. You can also visit https://fema.gov/disaster/4834 to learn more. Locally, additional helpful information can be found at Disaster Assistance - Pinellas County.
 
The Family Healthcare Foundation also reminds parents that they can talk with a Navigator by calling 813-995-7005 for help in ENROLLING IN AFFORDABLE COVERAGE THROUGH JANUARY 15, 2025 on WWW.HEALTHCARE.GOV . Parents can also find local help by clicking here: https://familyhealthcarefdn.org/meet-with-a-navigator/ or can call Jennifer Tayler, the Program Coordinator-for Pinellas County, at 813-995-7005/Jennifer@familyhealthcarefdn.org.

With the holidays upon us, parents and caregivers looking for ways of managing stress to stay focused on your infants and young children, may find much of value below. We have assembled a variety of videos and activities that can help! 

Turbo Babies logo

Also, during and after the pandemic, the Family Study Center was among a group of community experts and advocates that worked closely with the Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County on the development of their delightful “Turbo Babies” campaign. Turbo Babies offers free resources and materials designed to support healthy development of infants and toddlers, including “Turbo Tips” to help parents and caregivers rev up learning and keep the baby’s development on track - Tune In, Talk & Repeat, Take Turns, and Take Time. Take a moment to check out JWB’s interactive on the Turbo Babies website.

Third, the Family Study Center has been a longtime partner and strategic collaborator with “Thrive by Five”, a collective impact initiative that began in Pinellas County and in 2024 expanded to serve families throughout Tampa Bay. With backbone support from Community Foundation Tampa Bay, Thrive by Five’s community-oriented approach is on a mission to assure an equitable, accessible, responsive, and accountable early childhood system to ensure all children in Pinellas and Hillsborough Counties are ready for kindergarten. Parents and caregivers can check out “TB5 Connects”, a portal that helps families find programs and resources to meet a variety of needs! Complete a short questionnaire and TB5 will provide you with a customized list of available services to meet your young child and family’s unique needs. Another great resource is TB5’s downloadable Early Literacy Resource Guide.

Finally, we also include a variety of excellent additional resources initially collated during the COVID era, specifically related to helping small children with trauma and anxiety that includes many terrific links and resources for parents and caregivers celebrating babies’ joy, curiosity, and thirst for exploration and fun. Please check them out!

We are ever grateful to the parents, coparents and childcare providers who work magic in everyday moments to support babies, through both good and challenging times. We invite you to contact the Family Study Center directly at 727-873-4848 any time there are other ways we can be of assistance.

Warmly,
James McHale 
Director, and the staff of the USF St. Petersburg campus Family Study Center

The Baby Hour! A Video Series filmed in Fall 2020 with the support of the Pinellas Community Foundation 

*Set aside a little time to view any of the following videos that sound like they may be of interest to you! Share the link to this site with others and let us know what additional resources you would find most helpful - contact us any time at 727-873-4848.

The Baby Hour: Premier Episode featuring Family Study Center

Virtual Webinars - Support for Childcare Providers Filmed During COVID-19

  • Session 1 - Self-care for childcare providers during COVID-19
  • Session 2 - Part I - Anticipating and supporting children's emotional distress (part 1)
  • Session 2 - Part II - Anticipating and supporting children's emotional distress (part 2)
  • Session 3 - Building strong childcare-home partnerships for children during COVID

Information for Parents to Help Young Children During Times of Stress and Uncertainty

“When We Are Scared” – Free Webinar and Online Book and Video for children by Chandra Ghosh-Ippen

Caring Reminders for Families During Stressful Times  - Fred Rogers Productions shares some tips from Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood on how families, parents, and caregivers can relieve children’s insecurities and fears.

Tips for Video Chatting with Young Children – Tips for Video Chatting with Young Children – Staying Connected While Far Apart. NAEYC

Sesame Street® Learning Resources  - Free resources, including digital storybooks and games, developed in partnership with Sesame Street

Free Audio Books for Kids – Audible

Simple Activities for Children and Adolescents, Most involving no screen time – National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN)

Virtual Field Trips

Other Helpful Links

Resources in Additional Languages