Free family resources
Start with what your family needs right now.
Finding the right help is hard when your family is already under pressure. These are free, established resources for common needs at home, at school, and in the community.
No signup, no purchase, and nothing here depends on our products.
I need someone to call
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988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
SAMHSA, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Best for Emotional distress or a suicidal crisis
Call or text 988, or chat online, for free and confidential support 24 hours a day. Available across the United States and its territories.
Visit 988lifeline.org (opens in a new tab) -
211 Helpline
United Way Worldwide and local 211 agencies
Best for Local help with everyday practical needs
Call 211 or search by ZIP code for housing, food, utilities, transportation, health care, and caregiver support near you. More than 200 local organizations answer the lines, so hours and services vary.
Visit 211.org (opens in a new tab)
I need practical ideas for home
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HealthyChildren.org
American Academy of Pediatrics
Best for Emotional wellness and mental health
Guidance from pediatricians on emotional development, resilience, stress, conflict, and mental health. Includes when to seek more help.
Explore the emotional wellness guides (opens in a new tab) -
Child Mind Institute
Independent children’s mental health nonprofit
Best for Behavior, anxiety, and everyday parenting
Clinician-written guides on tantrums, anxiety, ADHD, screen time, discipline, and finding treatment. Written for parents, in plain language.
Explore the Family Resource Center (opens in a new tab) -
Pyramid Model family resources
National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations
Best for Social and emotional skills in young children
Family materials on routines, schedules, transitions, feelings, friendship skills, and problem solving. Built for young children and the adults who care for them.
Explore the family resources (opens in a new tab) -
AFIRM modules
Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute, UNC
Best for Evidence-based autism practices, in depth
Step-by-step modules on the practices professionals use with autistic learners from birth through age 22. Written for practitioners, so expect more depth than a parent guide.
Explore the AFIRM modules (opens in a new tab)
I need help with school
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Understood
National nonprofit for learning and thinking differences
Best for Learning and thinking differences at school
Plain-language guides on evaluations, IEPs and 504 plans, ADHD, dyslexia, and other learning differences. Also covers behavior, emotions, and parenting.
Explore Understood (opens in a new tab) -
CHADD for parents
Children and Adults with ADHD, national nonprofit
Best for ADHD at home and at school
Parent guides on evaluation, treatment, school accommodations, and everyday strategies at home. Also lists local support groups and a helpline.
Explore CHADD for parents (opens in a new tab) -
Parent Training and Information Centers
Center for Parent Information and Resources
Best for Special education help near you
Every state has at least one federally funded center that helps families of children with disabilities, birth through age 26, understand special education and their rights. Services vary by center.
Find your Parent Center (opens in a new tab) -
PBIS family resources
Center on PBIS, funded by the U.S. Department of Education
Best for Family participation in schoolwide PBIS
Tools for families and schools working together on positive behavior support, communication, and shared decisions. Written mostly for school teams and family-school partnerships.
Explore the PBIS family resources (opens in a new tab)
I need services or advocacy
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The Arc
National disability rights nonprofit with local chapters
Best for Disability rights and local chapters
Plain-language information on intellectual and developmental disabilities, education, Medicaid, and rights, plus a finder for state and local chapters. Chapters are separate organizations, so services vary.
Explore The Arc (opens in a new tab) -
Autism Society National Helpline
Autism Society of America
Best for Autism resources and providers near you
An information and referral specialist can point you to autism-related resources, providers, and support options in your area. Referrals only, not direct services, and not a crisis line.
Contact the Autism Society Helpline (opens in a new tab)
I need support as a caregiver
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Parent to Parent USA
National alliance of state Parent to Parent programs
Best for Talking with a parent who has been there
State programs match you with a trained support parent whose child has a similar disability or health need. Support is one to one and can be emotional, practical, or both.
Find your Parent to Parent program (opens in a new tab) -
Family Caregiver Alliance
Home of the National Center on Caregiving
Best for Caregiver programs and services by state
Search public, nonprofit, and private caregiver services, government health and disability programs, and legal help by state. Much of it is written for people caring for adults.
Find caregiver services by state (opens in a new tab)
How we chose these
We looked for established nonprofit, government, academic, and professional organizations that offer useful information, or help finding services, without asking for a purchase or an email address. Inclusion is not a partnership or an endorsement, and we have not reviewed every page on these sites.
These independent resources are provided for general information. Safety-Care for Families is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or responsible for the content of third-party websites. This page is educational and is not emergency, medical, mental health, or legal advice.
Links last reviewed: September 10, 2026
When you want a plan
A practiced plan helps when the pressure is on.
Free resources answer a specific question. The 5-Week Safety-Care Program brings prevention, de-escalation, and recovery together in one guided plan you work through at home, with 12 practice emails along the way.
Educational tools only. Not emergency response, therapy, medical advice, or restraint training.